How this Works

     This work is meant to help you find deep self-understanding, wholeness, and integrity. Primarily this is done through conversation.  We will begin by highlighting your motivation for spiritual work, and consciously arouse an image of what you are looking for.  “What do you want?” is the most important question you can ask in this regard.  If you don’t know what you want, how will you know when you’ve gotten it?  Even if your motivation is a vague or nebulous feeling, becoming more familiar with that feeling will make all the difference in the world. Putting attention on this one question will catalyze a greater self-intimacy than you may have ever known before.  Together, our conversations will evolve organically, spiraling out from your basic motivation.  This work is intensely personalized.  Many different types of practices, reflections, and topics for dialogue may be helpful, but will only and always arise from a space of intimate connection to who you are and what you need.  At no time will ideals be superimposed upon you.  I don’t know who you are and who you will become, only you know this. Although I can offer assistance, I am only always following your lead.

     I consider myself a “mentor,” rather than a teacher.  As a mentor I offer more reflection and nurturing than explicit suggestions for your spiritual growth (although when appropriate I may offer such suggestions as well). I will engage with you more as an older peer rather than as a superior.  As an older peer, I can be used as an educated support and sounding-board for working with the current issues in your spiritual investigation.  And if you have not begun a particular spiritual practice, or aligned yourself with a particular tradition, but would like to, I can help you choose which path might be right for you.  

     As a spiritual mentor, I’m someone you can lean on, but I can’t guarantee that I’ll know exactly the way through any particular rough spot you may be encountering.  I’ll be there in any appropriate way that I can: I’ll offer reflections from my own experience and continually reestablish a space of safety and care. And especially, I’ll remind you again and again that the source of transformation and healing that you can most trust is your own longing and inspiration.  Because of this, at every stage of your process your most important task is merely to look inside, investigate intelligently, and above all be honest with yourself.  If you have already found a teacher whose style and conceptual framing makes most sense to you, I suggest you continue to work with this teacher.  However, having spent the last 7 years engaged in my own existential inquiry, to great success, working with me can be of great assistance to you as well.  As a mentor I can offer you more personal attention, feedback, and assistance.  Utilizing both offerings can be most helpful to you. 

     I am not a trained psychologist or clinician, and the work I offer is not professional therapy.  If you are experiencing suicidal impulses, lasting depression, severe anxiety, mood disorders, and/or any symptoms of psychosis, please contact your nearest mental health services so you can be adequately provided for.