Rediscovering My Self: Finding My Way Home
It’s been my experience over the last few years that the most profound revelations come through rediscovering who I really am. My experience with entheogens have opened doors to parts of myself that I had forgotten, purposely suppressed, or never been aware of at all. This growing and expanding sense of who I am—my needs, my wants, my desires, my passions, and my struggles—continues to allow me to feel more fulfilled and confident on a daily basis. Self-discovery also comes with challenges. The truth is, becoming more openly honest with yourself and others about who you are and who you aspire to become, may not make your life easier, but it will certainly make your life more authentic. Authenticity is the best foundation upon which to build a truly meaningful, rich, and vibrant life.
Nature as my teacher: Finding meaning
I’ve always been drawn into nature. From my earliest memories as a child on the farm in Iowa, through adolescent canoeing adventures, a stint as a backpacking guide in the Rocky Mountains, and several decades as a wildlife biologist in southern Oregon, I’ve answered the call by immersing myself in the natural world. This close relationship with nature has taught me over and over that everything in this big, beautiful world is connected to everything else through a vast and complex web of relationships.
More recently, I’ve returned to the land in the ceremonial container of rites of passage. The depth of insight that becomes available to a person when they accept the challenge of spending very focused and intentional time in a natural setting within this ceremonial framework is difficult to put into words. Suffice it to say, that these rites of passage have been a key component of my personal journey into creating a more meaningful life.
If you find yourself at a point in life that feels in need of marking with the intentional transition that rite of passage provides, please reach out. I am always deeply honored to accompany another person as they do the work of claiming their best possible life.
Embracing Vulnerability: Facing and Healing My Deepest Wounds
Most of us have some resistance to being vulnerable. It’s uncomfortable. It’s scary. Yet, for us to experience personal growth it’s vital.
My work with entheogens and with rites of passage has led me to vulnerability repeatedly. These experiences have often made me uncomfortable. These experiences have also been the most important on my path to healing. While each of these healing modalities is unique, they share the commonality of allowing one to find and deeply experience parts of ourselves and past experiences that leave us feeling uncomfortable. These are often the very things that most need our attention if we are to make progress on our personal journey.
