DesiPundit

Varnam compares the changes in ancient traditions like guru dakshina:

During ancient times, guru dakshina used to be a tricky business; gurus could ask for anything and the shishyas, without questioning, had to provide. [...] Now you see certain New Age spiritual groups which sell spirituality with a predefined price list for various courses. There is a fee for basic meditation course, a larger amount for advanced meditation and half your salary for a residential course. Essentially it is like registering for a tennis or salsa dancing class - you pay a certain amount and you get packaged spirituality.

It is ironic that you must pay a price to gain spirituality. Teachers, who give real knowledge, are paid peanuts. But spirituality is in vogue now, and so it comes with a price tag.