What is a reasonable investment in spiritual beliefs, and practices?
By degree, Novice to Adapt.
Not just money, but resources, personal time, emotional, and social?
This one should be common sense.. The concept should be a "LIFES" journey. Those of whom may be called adept or avatar at level, should know how to teach it to others, from all the levels as a priest or rabbi does in their religious organizations, or a P.H.D. professor does at a college.
What returns does one expect?
The only return anyone should expect to gain is "KNOWLEDGE."
Churches have Tithes.
Supplies cost money, or time to collect supplies.
What are some things a novice should be aware of?
Money does not matter, this should be the number one rule in the true practices of the estoreric ways. Those who seek monetary gain are corrupt in the ways of the arcane knowledge.
The individual should be in it for knowledge and understanding of universal ways, unforunately this concept has long been overlooked and forgotten. They should be using it to help others and themselves by benefiting from the energies that the universe provides for them. The unending supply of those energies are what manifests to begin with.
Churches have the tithings to keep the building's rent intact. Or for donations to certain charities or organizations that the followers should be made aware of. Churches are a business, esoterics is NOT. It never has been.
The true journey one will realize when they do become an adept, is the journey within the SELF. To gain higher knowledge and higher awareness for the cosmic resources that are always available.
