There is a saying: Knowledge can be neither bought or sold. The aspect of "what to charge" has bothered many. Sometimes a small fee is asked, sometimes none. It has been said that a truly, "spiritual" man will never ask for money. Sometimes that is true.
Here is the beginning of a story:
A man spent half of his life in seeking truth. He read all the books on ancient wisdom he could find. He traveled to every country to hear spiritual teachers. He spent his days working and nights contemplating
the Great Mysteries.
One day he heard of the poet Ansari, who lived in Herat. Going there, he arrived at the door of the sage. On it he saw written, contrary to his expectation: "Knowledge is Sold Here".
"This must be a mistake, or else a deliberate attempt to dissuade the idle curiosity seeker", he thought to himself, "for I have never before heard it said that knowledge can be bought or sold". He went into the house. Sitting in the courtyard was Ansari, who asked, "have you come to buy knowledge?" The man nodded. Ansari told him to produce all the money he had. It came to 100 silver pieces.
"For this much you can have three pieces of advice", said Ansari.
"Do you really mean that"? asked the seeker. "Why do you need money if you are a humble and dedicated man??" YOU FINISH THE STORY ............
To determine your payment:
First Figure out what you make per hour based upon a 40 hour work week. For the regularly employed this is easy. For those who are self employed, or without money, or income, or who work sporadically, or part
time, or who draw from savings, etc. this is more difficult. For you, take the average amount you spend per month (in any form, including savings). This is your base income. Divide that by 22. Divide that figure by 8. This is your hourly equivalent. Now for all people, no matter how you computed your income, if you are able to afford it you are to pay a sum equal to the income for 1 hour of your work for every 2 hours of class time. But in no case is that sum to be less than 1/2 of the minimum wage. For some, even this will be more than you can afford, for you have little money left after meeting all necessary expenses. For those, you must determine "what" you can afford and what is still due. What is due then can be paid in labor. You will please make arrangements to provide work for the balance of what is due.
Now up to this point all this "payment" has been made to what you may consider to be "another". You, as part of this fee, are also to pay "yourself" an equal fee. Since you will not benefit from giving yourself money which you already have, you must pay yourself in labor. You must determine: 1. "to whom" this payment is made; 2. Really, what is to be paid; 3. how it is to be paid; and 4. when. You must keep this fund in balance, so that you do not overdraw your account and be unable to meet your obligations.
If you are able to fulfill this practice you will receive benefit. How great or little it is will depend upon your capacity and ability to give and receive.
Reference: Guidelines for Donations.