My orientation comes from years of illuminating and reclaiming my natural joy and learning to trust my deepest knowing. After many years of being cut off from my feelings, sparked by my father’s early death when I was 17, I began a deep study of how the mind and emotions work.
In graduate school at Arizona State University in the 1970’s, I studied counseling psychology focusing on what facilitates the best in each of us. Through lessons in relationship and my commitment to penetrate into the core issues in my life, I opened to the mystery of my being. I also discovered the value of fear as my teacher, using fear as a signal to stay present with the clutching quality in my belly which could inhibit me.
As I offered groups to women, experienced the numbing and disorienting distress of my mother’s death and a divorce, I kept learning the value of surrendering to what was occurring. I also discovered that writing, and writing poetry in particular, gave me a way to express myself. Moments of loneliness, moments of joy or grief, all found their way into my poetry. My journal writing also helped to highlight and unveil patterns of low self-worth and transmute anxiety and depression. As I made peace with my past, kindness and compassion became essential ingredients for living a more integrated, grounded and present centered life.
My experiences became gateways to a deeper connection with life and to a sense of well being. I learned to trust my body’s responses and to recognize and embrace the beauty surrounding me. I discovered under fear and grief was a deep core of love waiting to be tapped like an unknown spring of fresh life giving water.
I am grateful to have studied and been influenced by spiritual teachers who embody their own clear and compassionate understanding of reality from such traditions as Buddhism, Taoism and other nondual perspectives. Also, the mystic poets Rumi, Hafiz, Tagore, Kabir, John O’Donahue, Mary Oliver and many others, speak to my heart and help keep me sane when all else fails
I'm now delighted to share my depth of understanding with you.
