Understanding The Energy of Money: A Mirror for Personal and Collective Healing

A Personal Journey with Money

Before you read this, you need to know that I am not a “money” person. I don’t work in finance, nor am I the most financially literate individual. With decades of experience in marketing and brand building, I consider myself a creator, a teacher, a coach, a consultant, and a connector. I know how to grow businesses, build communities, and support individuals. Yet, like many of us, I undervalue my worth and tend to undercharge for my services despite my talent and depth of expertise.

When my dear friend and colleague, Rei Chou, invited me to collaborate on her initiative, The Energy of Money Summit, held at Chip Conley’s MEA campus in Santa Fe last month, I was curious but reticent. With profound trust in Rei’s call to include me, I attended—and it turned out to be a life-changing experience. Since arriving home from Santa Fe, I’ve been reflecting on my time there and integrating what I learned.

I’m struck by how profoundly that weekend in the desert shifted my understanding of money from a resource or necessary tool to a powerful energy that reflects our personal and collective beliefs, values, and consciousness.

The Summit Experience: Reframing Money

The summit brought together a diverse group of beautiful human beings -innovators, philanthropists, creatives, investors, and healers - to explore money’s deeper dimensions: its flow, spiritual essence, role in personal healing, and potential for collective transformation.

From the outset, it was clear we weren’t being invited to just another financial workshop. What was less clear was what the gathering would be. I certainly didn’t expect the quick camaraderie, the quiet tears, the group hugs, the deep sighs of relief, and the intensity of spirit that made this experience more impactful than I could have imagined.

Rei invited us to step into a space where money was reframed—not as something to fear or control but as a neutral force that could be harnessed for growth and liberation. Her ability to hold space for vulnerability and authenticity set the tone for the gathering. Through intimate dialogues and experiential practices, we were encouraged to examine our personal narratives around money: the stories we’ve inherited, the fears we’ve internalized, and the opportunities for healing we often overlook.

Adding to the event’s magic was Suh Yoon Lee, author of The Having, who co-authored the book with Jooyun Hong (her interpreter at the event). Both women flew in from South Korea to speak with us and answer our questions about Having. Suh Yoon Lee brought deep practical and spiritual insights into how we relate to abundance and fulfillment. She described those gathered in the room as being either “innovators” or “cultivators.”

An “innovator,” she explained, is someone who creates something entirely new, while a “cultivator” nurtures and develops existing ideas or technologies—often building upon the work of innovators. This distinction resonated deeply with those attending her talk as we reflected on how we identify ourselves within these archetypes. I immediately identified with the cultivator role. Suh Yoon added another layer of self-awareness to our exploration of how money flows through our lives.

Money as Energy: Healing and Transformation

In the middle of New Mexico’s mystical terra cotta landscape—the breathtaking serenity surrounding us—the most impactful aspect of the summit was our focus on money as energy. Rei’s background in spiritual energy work infused every session with a sense of purpose and alignment. Her philosophy—that money is deeply intertwined with love, relationships, and creativity—challenged us to see money not as an isolated entity but as an integral part of our lives.

We weren’t discussing financial strategies; we were exploring how money flows through our inner world—and how healing our relationship with it could unlock new levels of freedom and abundance.

The healing sessions were particularly transformative. Guided by Rei and her talented practitioner collaborators, including William Miglno and Michael Kass, they created space for us to confront subconscious blocks tied to scarcity or unworthiness—patterns that often stem from intergenerational narratives. These practices were cathartic and empowering; they helped me explore how my financial choices could align more closely with my values and life’s mission to promote flow in both giving and receiving.

What stood out most was how these sessions addressed both personal healing and collective flourishing. It was clear that Rei had intentionally designed this dual focus to emphasize how our breakthroughs as individuals contribute to systemic change.

Collective Transformation: A Vision Beyond Wealth

Despite convening a group of talented and accomplished people at The Energy of Money Summit, it felt like a genuinely ego-free “conversation for relationship.” Participants built trust naturally—sharing openly about their fears, hopes, and visions regarding money while co-creating an aligned agenda for moving forward. It wasn’t about imposing strategies or frameworks; it was about listening deeply, connecting authentically, and discovering shared values that could guide financial decisions toward a more significant impact.

One standout moment was a fireside chat during a breakout session when Lori Katz interviewed Barry Palte, a global investor who joined virtually from Australia. With disarmingly casual charm and authenticity, Barry presented a compelling vision for private entities’ role in international peacebuilding, challenging us to think beyond traditional corporate social responsibility. He referred to his TEDx talk, New Money: Trust, Value, and the Evolution of Collective Consciousness, which laid the foundation for many insights he shared during this session.

Ultimately, this conversation reinforced one of the summit’s central themes: that money is more than a necessary resource—it is an energy that can be consciously directed toward healing and transformation. Reflecting on Barry’s insights, I am reminded of our shared role in building systems rooted in connection, purpose, and peace.

Final Reflections

Years ago, I read a comment by author James W. Frick that has stayed with me:

"Don’t tell me what your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money, and I’ll tell you what they are."

The same could be said about where you invest your time or energy—and even your love—and it will reveal your priorities.

Reflecting on my time at The Energy of Money Summit, this sentiment feels more relevant than ever. The gathering was more than an event; it was an invitation to reimagine what’s possible when we approach money with consciousness and intention.

Suh Yoon Lee’s wisdom on abundance—and her framing of us as innovators or cultivators—offered another lens through which we could understand ourselves in this transformative journey. Rei Chou’s ability to weave together personal transformation with systemic change reminded me that true wealth isn’t about accumulation—it’s about flow: aligning resources with love, creativity, and purpose and using them to create a better world.

Photos by Pavel Denisenko (Pasha)