​🧱 What Is the Uncarved Block?
In Taoist philosophy, pu (朴) symbolizes original simplicity.
It is the essence of a person before conditioning—before the world carved you into roles, titles, and identities.
Lao Tzu writes:
This isn’t about being blank or passive.
It’s about being real.
Before you were shaped, you were whole.

Have you ever considered that ancient healing traditions might hold surprising keys to modern well-being? Though seemingly worlds apart, shamanism, humanity's oldest spiritual and healing practice, and modern hypnotherapy, a contemporary therapeutic tool, share a profound core connection.

Both masterfully utilize altered states of consciousness to unlock healing and transformation. Imagine momentarily quieting your "conscious mind" – that part filled with incessant chatter and critical judgment – which often acts as a barrier to deeper wisdom. Whether through the rhythmic beat of a shaman's drum or a hypnotherapist's guiding voice, the intentional shift in awareness bypasses this everyday mental noise, granting access to profound inner landscapes. Shamanism describes navigating the Lower, Middle, and Upper Worlds, while hypnotherapy explores the Subconscious, Conscious, and Superconscious. These are different terminologies for similar internal territories where your core beliefs, emotions, and ingrained patterns reside.

The ultimate goal of these converging paths is to empower your inner healer. By tapping into these deep resources, you can unlock your innate wisdom and guide your own transformation. This journey is about awakening your Primal Nature – an undefiled state inherent from birth that often becomes obscured by life's experiences. It offers a path to release old, limiting stories and consciously create a new, more fulfilling reality, leading to a life of greater joy, vitality, and meaning. From ancient campfires to cutting-edge virtual reality in therapy, the human quest for self-discovery and well-being through altered states remains a timeless journey.

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​Every so often, you see  someone who moves with confidence and freedom. 
While others are clamoring around, this person somehow seem to know what to do. They just kind of step right up and do something. Whatever they do they seem to feel at ease- like they belong there.

They seem to have some kind of purpose and guidance that most folks just don't seem to have access to. Other people are naturally drawn to them. And people just feel safe around them.

In situations where perhaps you feel uncomfortable they often step up
and provide clear guidance. 
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Did you ever wonder what's different about people like this? Or how you could get some of that working for you?

What if all the confidence and strength you ever wanted are already inside you?
And what if all you really needed to access it was to have a safe place to tap into it?
We all have these abilities. They just need to be accessed and developed.

This is a distinction when it comes to accessing confidence, courage, and vitality. Instead of seeking something, you're allowing out something that's already a part of you.

It all begins with awakening the dynamic energy from the depths of your being.
This pure dynamic energy needs to be experienced directly. It happens easiest through primal experiences such as drumming, ceremony, and talking circles around the fire.

Once you connect with your dynamic energy, qualities like confidence, strength, and charisma naturally become accessible. Then it's just a matter of learning to trust them in the context of your purpose, career, and relationships.

Integrating this primal energy into your life changes everything. You'll walk with confidence in your relationships and purpose in your life. And after you get a feel for it, it just flows out of you. It's a natural expression rather than something you have to muster or create. And people respond to you differently. People take you seriously. People are attracted to you. They respect you. People feel safe around you.


This all happens energetically. People sense that your words and actions are coming from a different place. They come across as a natural strength and authentic confidence.
And finally, it's just a lot more enjoyable being you. You're no longer mired in all that self-doubt and self-consciousness. You learn to trust yourself. Life becomes an exciting adventure, rather than just something to get through.
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Isn't it time for a new approach to life? If you feel it is, then you are invited to come join me in May or June for a bi-weekly Heart Circle Fire Ceremony. Go to https://www.intentionalhypnosis.com/contact.html on this website and check Heart Circle Fire Ceremony and I will get back to you with the details.    

How often have you attempted to make some big changes in your life and then gave up because you weren't getting the expected results? Many times I would guess in fact more often then you care to admit. If this is true then what's wrong with you? The answer is that nothing is wrong it's simply a lack of bandwidth.
​What is bandwidth you ask! It's the total physical, mental and emotional resources that are available to you at this time. If you have very little bandwidth left of course making changes will be really difficult. 
Also, we really don't like making change, I know that I don't, it's just not comfortable. You are going to have to move some things around and discontinue others in order to make room or in this analogy free up some bandwidth. 
The best tool that I have discovered to help you succeed is strong intention! It means making the change that you want the most important thing. It also means making yourself and what you desire important enough to create the bandwidth that will support your change. Not easy yet those of you willing to be selfish enough to honor  your needs will do what's required.
One of the best ways to support your intention is to use hypnosis to dissolve the resistance to change and free up more bandwidth. Is the change instant? Sometimes it feels that way though most often at around 6-10 weeks things begin to shift. By this time most people have given up on their New Years resolutions. Many people I work with report a feeling of freedom or sense that a weight has been lifted. This is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a much deserved life change.       
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​Dates: Wednesday, 6/21/23, 5 pm Pacific Time through Sunday, 6/25/23, 1 pm. 
Location: Deer Creek camp area 6 miles from Sumpter, Oregon. Just 40 minutes from Baker City, OR and approximately 25 miles west of Baker City on Hwy 7. See Map at bottom of full view * (We will have a sign up at the turn off) 
Cost: Early Bird special $450 - Adults & $225 children (12 and under) if payment received by 5/21/20. After that Adults $500/ children $250. Includes Teaching, food, wood and port-a-potty rental & other misc. cost. (Please contact us to discuss bringing children)
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Registration Deadline: Friday, June 9th.
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From the beginning, we have gathered around fires and wondered at the stars. Summer Ceremony at Deer Creek is an opportunity to deeply remember that we are part of all that surrounds us, now and for all time. That we are held and supported by nature, and that we are each One of the People.

​In our Wolf Clan tradition, Summer Solstice in particular is a time for ceremonies that help identify the seeds of Spring. The “seeds” of our dreams and desires have probably shown themselves as possibilities, but we get to decide which seeds, if any, we want to plant and invest in. We may have planted some already, some early starts, and want to move forward with them, but most seeds are chosen and planted in early summer.

Summer Solstice is also a time to envision a path forward for what we wish to plant. ​Tobacco ties, Medicine Wheel, and Fire and Water ceremonies help us clarify intentions, honor our dreams, gifts, and passions, recognize our allies, recharge and reconnect to the flow of life.
 
Hosted this year by James Barfoot and Eve Costello, we hope you will join us for this rejuvenating week of reflection and ceremony in the beautiful Wallowa Whitman National Forest. Deer Creek Campground is located along a pristine creek in a small valley that has supported us through dozens of years of annual renewal. 
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Have Questions?
Eve Costello, from Spokane, WA 509-714-1826 cell
James Barfoot, from Spokane, WA 509-230-5035 cell
(If cost is an issue contact one of the leaders)

*Absolutely no drugs or alcohol*​​

When we meet someone and begin a relationship we awaken feelings that have perhaps been bottled up for some time. These feelings are powerful and with the right person we may experience a blossoming of our heart. These feelings are tender and sensitive like the first shoots of a spring plant. This is a precious time and may also leave us feeling unbalance and uncertain. Perhaps even a little afraid.

So who is the right person you ask? It just may be the person that we have the courage  to share our heart with. How else are we going to discover who they truly are? We may even tell ourselves that we are protecting them by holding back from speaking our truth because for me at least, it feels that way. What's more likely is that we are afraid of losing them and this precious feeling that has awakened and this feels risky. 

​It takes devotion to walk with our hearts open, to speak our truth without expectation of an outcome. It also takes energy to push past the resistance that holds us trapped in old behavior patterns. Choosing to do so, will allow us to discover, if we are with someone who is capable of honoring our hearts.​ Though difficult at first with practice we awaken the possibility of creating deep meaningful relationships in all areas of our lives. 

From my view everything in our lives is inviting us to embrace this path of heart. It is our responsibility to turn towards this path and away from the conditioning that has kept us from doing so. When we begin to tread on it we will know. Though subtle at first, an alignment will take place between our mind and heart. We begin to feel more grounded and purposeful, more alive and vital.

Occasionally a sadness sweeps over us to remind us that we have fallen back into our old ways of relating. Thank the sadness and kindly ask to be shown what it is that we need to see or feel that has pulled us off our path. It is the sweet embrace of our humanity that restores our heart and returns us to our path. 

   

I recently participated in one of the highlights of my year. I had the priveledge of doing a retreat for  five days to celebrate the Solstice. I was honored to be with three other teachers from my tradition Ann Coughlin, Eve Costello and Michael Hoffman. I titled this blog with three of the ingredients that came together to create a beautiful experience for all the participants.

Starting with nature was easy, as we were camped in a pine forest in the mountains of eastern Oregon along a clear snowmelt fed creek. Just being there is exhilarating with cold nights around hot fires and warm days working as a group to prepare for ceremony. Nature has an ability to relax our bodies and calm our minds, and being in a cell free zone is a bonus. Without outside distractions we soon entered into a timeless flow. In case you were wondering preparing for Ceremony is Ceremony!   

Intention and how we bring it determines the value of the retreat. My teacher Bart Anderson said, " The only true intention is to go see what's there." This is more than simple discovery, it's a willingness to let go of preconceived ideas or outcomes. It's formless and springs from a place of "I am nothing, I know nothing". This openness ripe with an energy of possibility, is an invitation that awakens within us a force, that I refer to as "Primal Nature". It is this pure space that interacts with Life itself, in a collaborative dance of creation. 

Ceremony is the offering of our intention to the moment. In our tradition it takes the form of talking circles, medicine wheels and fire and water ceremonies. This process of ceremony begins with a shared intention to serve each other and the group. Service in our culture is more likely thought of in terms of being served rather than serving. Any true intention must take us beyond ourselves towards serving the greater good. Family, friends, community all benefit when we create an intention with this quality. 

I am thankful for all the heartfelt beauty I witness over the five days of Ceremony. The beauty of an open heart is an unusual feeling that can feel a little unbalanced even awkward. Letting your heart rule your head is unfamiliar to most and takes practice over time to become your new way of being. It's also the best choice I have ever made. If this sounds like something that appeals to you come join us next time we do Ceremony. 

       

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Are you frustrated with your life? Are you trying to make changes for yourself and for those that you care about yet nothing seems to stick? You work hard at your job or your own business and feel dissatisfied. All those extra hours without the expected payoff!

Your home life lacks meaningful connection too. You are feeling isolated from your kids and your spouse. You feel unsupported. You lack the energy to deal with all of this. 
You are not alone though chances are that you may be caught in a habit trap.

​If so your energy is being sucked up unconsciously by non-productive habits and old behavior patterns that no longer serve you. It feels difficult to make decisions and you worry that you are making poor ones. There is never enough time to get things done and even when there is you lack the needed motivation.

​It's not too late to hit refresh and use intention and practice to let go of those old habits and patterns. In a few short weeks or months it may feel like you have awakened from a sleep, to a life that is a lot more like the one you imagined you would be living. 

Use intentional hypnosis to put in place new habits and patterns that are aligned with your desire to create a new more fulfilling life. It's not easy though it is more than worth the effort?    
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Everyone loves Super Heroes and why not. They come out of nowhere and save us from disaster. The classic ones like Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman disappear into an alternate identity probably to recharge themselves. 

You may also know or even be that Super Hero that is constantly leading the charge. Taking on more than your share of the tasks at hand. You may be an Uber Mom, an Uber team leader at work or both.
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Chances are that you are carrying far to much responsibility. You never intended for this to happen you just got good at putting out fires and others noticed and praised you for it, while giving you more and more to do. Pretty soon everything was urgent and things started to slip. You couldn't keep up even when you worked extra hours and took calls at home. Yet, no one seemed to notice that you were maxed out. Something had to give you just didn't know where to start!   

That's not for you! Don't ask, you always get rejected. If these phrases or others that are equally negative have been popping up in your head lately, it may be time for an intervention.
​One, that will remove these negative thoughts from you mind or at least move them to the junk folder. ​
There is a reason that a majority of us have a negative soundtrack guiding us. It's probably not what you think!

The sound track tends to move us towards or away from that which we desire. How it does this is pretty fascinating and really worth spending the time to understand. Calling it a mechanism is accurate in that like a thermostat it is trying to maintain a comfort level. A thermostat is simply a sensor that attempts to maintain a preset level by reading information it receives about the current ambient room temperature.

So, let's imagine that the temperature starts moving dramatically up and down in your new home and you reset it dozens of times a day with little success. Then you call a specialist and they tell you the equipment is working fine its just being reset remotely by your neighbors.

My neighbors are controlling the temperature in my house you ask? Don't worry she says everyone in this HOA is linked to one or more neighbors it's in the agreement you signed.
I signed a contract to let others control the comfort level of my own house? This is nuts!

Yes it sounds crazy, right. What if I told you that your mind is currently doing the same thing. Instead of regulating your temperature it's your emotions that are being regulated by stories about you. Who you are and how you are supposed to behave. What others think of you and how you are supposed to think of about what they think of you. My God this is tedious!

As you can see this is quickly becoming as crazy as the neighbors in your HOA remotely changing the temperature in your home. The truth is you are being held to contracts mostly unconscious that started at a young age and grew from there. The linchpin that holds your negative soundtrack in place is your frustration, guilt and shame about being caught in it. I feel your pain! No one deserves to live this way! 

We are meant to experience absolutely unfiltered pure feelings in the moment. The cognitive process is simply a tool we utilize to express them. It is not designed to sort through old contracts to formulate what we can and cannot say or do.

The irony is that we take back control not by denying the old story but by accepting it for the falsehood it is. This begins the process of restoring our heart to its function putting love back into its role as the active principal that guides our lives. More on this to come.  

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 My teacher, "Ten Bears" said, "When we walk outside the wheel of life, we are at the effect of all things and we affect nothing." I felt the power of entering the Wheel of Life or Medicine Wheel while participating in ceremony usually somewhere in the mountains with a group.

​This was always a transformative experience that opened my mind and heart to a world of possibilities. I felt alive and vital and in tune with Life.

Unfortunately, after returning home my world shrunk back to pretty much where it was before I went to the mountains. It wasn't until I discovered what was missing that things began to change.  

These experiences where big events for me and I continue to conduct and participate in them each year. The missing piece was bringing it home as a practice. Conducting personal ceremony on a regular basis in my home or yard or office is an invitation to the World, to Spirit, to Life itself to come join me in the center of my own Sacred Circle. 

​This is when with clear intention I began a collaborative dance with life. The ceremony can involve burning sage with a prayer of intention or a meditation. This ceremony can be as simple and as beautiful as a breath. A subtle releasing exhale and a receptive inhale each cycle complete yet reborn into the moment. 

It is an invitation to our being to let go and return to a place in which it already resides. A place that every religion refers to. The Holy of Holy's, Ground of Being, Center of Creation or the Center of Your Own Sacred Circle. This space awakens from within us with the gentle breeze, the chime of a bell, sunlight reflecting on a lake, a soothing voice.

Listen beneath the chatter of the mind and you will discover a whole new world awaits. Find some time in your day for Personal Ceremony and you may just be surprised at how beautiful your World has become.   ​

I have been reading Michael Hoffman's book "Natural Way of Being-Trust your Heart and Collaborate with Life" and he nails it. He very concisely explains the unholy relationship between fear and control. The very thing that he states we have to overcome, if we intent to fully live into our "Natural way of Being" which in Michael's description, is a place of connection, of being a part of the experiences that we are in.

This is not a cognitive place in my estimation and I have to confess it's been a lifelong struggle for me to fully grasp this. Even as I published my book, "Tribalize Now- The Practice of Belonging" some eight years ago, I was still too conceptual with my understanding of this. Having had some really amazing spiritual openings in my life, I now acknowledge, is a lot different from integrating them. 

An easy way to know if you have integrated them is to ask yourself if you are spending much time thinking about these experiences. Not to take away from the beauty or value of the experiences but they don't define who we are they are simply doorways of possibility that are presented to us. There is a tendency to view these openings as spaces of attainment that make us special vs invitations to express our humanity in deeper ways. In doing so, we  miss the opportunity to take these into our daily lives as an offering to others, our family, friends and community. 

It is important to remind ourselves that even in the depths of shame and self-loathing that we were born into this world with a heart as pure and bright as any star. These spiritual experiences are glimpses or reminders of the truth of our being and provide us a path forward. The intention to move forward helps us to see past our fear based perceptions and beliefs as well as the control with which we defend them.

It is through a process of seeing past them, over time and with practice, that frees us to collaborate with life. Please check out chapter 3 in Michael's book for a clear description of how to do just that. Following his advice has helped me to more fully live into the life that I have truly wanted to live and for that I am grateful.    ​

I just finished watching the first season of the sequel to the Netflix series "Vikings" called "Vikings Valhalla" and it did not disappoint. I enjoy shows like this as well as westerns like Paramount's 1883 because they demonstrate something that gets a lot of pushback nowadays which is dynamic male energy. I believe that this pushback is largely due to a misunderstanding of male energy and how human beings choose to wield it.​ 

Let start by clarifying that males ideally have a balance of masculine and feminine energy as do females. The Taoists would refer to this as balanced Yin and Yang energy. When we are balanced and operating with clear intention we use the energy wisely and efficiently. We act from a place that is unfettered by emotional states and make clear decisions.

When we filter our decisions through our emotional states we lose our intentionality and make poor choices. Due perhaps to the way we have been conditioned (programmed) by parental and societal norms and expectations we may access and express a combination of these energies in different ways.

The above photo is of two people from "Vikings Valhalla" who demonstrated clear dynamic male energy and any of us can do this even if we are gender neutral. My point is that the energy itself is pure and needed for us to function and it's our emotional states that get us into trouble. 

When our energy is balanced and unaffected by emotional states we are able to access what is needed in the moment. Standing up for ourselves and speaking our truth requires dynamic male energy while listening to others attentively and planning projects a more receptive feminine energy.

Both are important though learning to access and utilize them effectively takes clarity and a willingness to detach from our emotional states. When we do so, our world shifts  and we begin to experience a sense of freedom that empowers us to make clear choices. I am a fan of being able to access all the resources that are available to us. Doing this does take practice though I can assure you it's well worth the effort.    
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In the Wilhelm Baynes version of the I Ching in Hexagram 27 the top change line reads, "You​ let your Magic Tortoise go and look at me with the corners of your mouth drooping". Tortoises in ancient China were seen as mystical creatures who seemed immortal as they can live over two hundred years. 
This Hexagram is focused on how we choose to feed or nurture ourselves on physical, psychological and spiritual levels.
This nurturing can take two forms either positive or negative self-nurturing. Very few Coaches, Spiritual Teachers or even Therapists, address this with their clients even though it is a major contributor to most of our addictions. It also ties into the above statement regarding our "Magic Tortoise". When we let go of the believe in our capacity to nourish ourselves on either a physical or emotional level we then do so through largely unconscious behavior patterns.      

​The lower three lines apply to nourishing oneself specifically the body and the upper lines represent the care of others in a higher spiritual sense. We are asked in both cases to consider what aspects of our on nature we feed as well as who and what we choose to feed outside of ourselves.

We give our attention to that which is most important to us. When we are feeling alone and believe that connection with others, a form of positive self nurturing is unavailable to us we will seek to satisfy that urge either consciously or unconsciously.

Satisfying an unconscious belief often results in a pattern of negative self-nurturing such as overeating, excessive consumption of alcohol, drugs, and all kinds of other non-productive behaviors. 

The solution involves bringing conscious awareness to our feelings and first acknowledging then honoring them, with actions toward that which we desire. It's not only okay to have needs and wants it's important to express them.

This is the best way I know of to sever the link to unconscious behavior patterns that reinforce our shame spiral. When we start asking for what we want, we will not only get more of it, we will soon start acknowledging that we deserve it! 

When we let go of the believe in our capacity to nourish ourselves on either a physical or emotional level we then do so through largely unconscious behavior patterns.      ​

Unconscious decision making is good in some ways. It does help us avoid accidents when we drive and also helps us get through our daily routine without much effort. What I am talking about here can have a big effect on the life that we are creating. The choices we make tend to move us either towards or away from what we truly desire. If we fail to make a conscious choice the result is likely less than optimal. Some of the symptoms are low energy, poor eating habits, poor sleep habits, feeling down, lack of motivation, job frustration, weight gain, to name just a few. 

The culprit here is an unconscious intention that originates from our personal story. I am referring to the messages that we repeat to ourselves all day long. The above mentioned rationalization serves to support that story and often helps us make decisions that move us away from life. When I say life I am referring to a vital connected force that animates us. Think of it as the "Dance of Life" where we are active participants vs being a more removed "Observer" or "Analyzer" or "Critic". None of these characters is actually in life they just sit in the bleachers and critique the game.

We spend a lot of our energy enmeshed in this story, trying to live a safe, predictable and risk free life. The result is that we live no life at all! It's horribly frustrating to watch others engaged in this dance, even asking us to join with them. Our default response is no, as we have turned over our decision making to unconscious patterns keeps us trapped in an unenjoyable life. That is truly not a fun place to live.

You can change this along with all the symptoms of that go along with this habit of making unconscious choices. You change by choosing to be more conscious of your choices. The best way to do this is pick a habit or behavior that you are not happy with and begin with an intention to change it. This starts in our first hypnosis session when we spend two hours together mapping out both a conscious and unconscious plan to do so.

​All of the hypnosis sessions we do are recorded for you to listen to at home for daily support. We will meet on a regular basis to ensure that you have all the resources needed to make your changes permanent. ​

​Many of you are deeply spiritual and self-aware people who still find yourselves trapped by this believe. I know this is true because, I have worked with thousands of people on this issue and I still find myself caught in this belief.
Fortunately it's less often and I don't hang out there too long. Though sometimes I really need to make an effort to pull myself out of that ditch. Let's call it the guilt and shame ditch.
There I said it! That's the hook that keeps us trapped. Without the emotional attachment we would see the behavior for what it is and change it more easily. Please know that I am not denying the effect that these behaviors can have, on our lives as well as other peoples.

​It is important to own it, just don't beat yourself up as that actually reinforces itself, into a negative feedback loop. There is a solution to this and it is fairly simple though it does take effort.
Congratulate yourself when you become aware, either during or after discovering yourself engaged in a non-productive behavior! Yes, congratulate yourself! This will encourage you to change the behavior, where as shaming yourself will not.
Did you catch the second tool that you can use as it's neatly tucked into the above paragraph like a chocolate chip cookie waiting to be enjoyed. Can you guess what I am referring to?
It is how we frame a behavior, that helps us cease identifying as it! We tend to say I have either a good or bad behavior which is a poor assessment that creates more judgement. Good boy, bad boy! Really, let's get beyond this and see behaviors for what they are poor choices or better choices made with the information at hand.
Not to mention cognitive awareness. How many six or seven year old's can make a really good independent choice. That's where the patterns that get you through your day start getting put in place.
So, three things to sum up the process. No guilt or shame around the behavior. Start viewing behaviors as either productive or non-productive vs good or bad. Finally, congratulate yourselves for bringing awareness to the behavior.

I have been doing a lot of thinking about the crisis we are facing in America today and how we might address it. I have also been thinking about how my own internal narrative or story feeds into this. My internal story is complex though thankfully a lot less complex than it was even a few years ago. What do I mean  by that? Have you ever felt like there is a story going on in your head between various characters? Most everyone has this experience though often times the story is so unconscious that we find ourselves acting it out as if we are characters in a play. 
The way I see it, these particular characters form into identities that very rigorously defend themselves. Kind of like Avatars who are all fighting to preserve their Kingdoms or Queendoms as the case may be. Credit goes to Psychologist Jordan Peterson for presenting the Avatar concept in this context. These Avatars can have a very serious affect on our lives and the decisions that we make each day and they are seeking to preserve themselves at our expense. Perhaps even at the expense of our country.  

If you want know what side I am on it's your side and the real enemy isn't who you think. The real enemy is not outside ourselves though it does align itself with outside information and situations in order to justify its internal narrative. We are all being manipulated if we are motivated by an ideology instead of our truth. You and me and every other being on earth falls for this trap until we don't. So, how do we extricate ourselves from this trap? It is perhaps the most difficult task that you will ever receive and the freedom experienced once freed from it, will more than make up for the effort made to free yourself.  ​
The first step is to understand that an ideology is formed by what we assume to be a series of truths about the world. These truths are often political or economic in nature and examples could be socialism, communism and capitalism. Pick any one of these and make a statement that aligns with your truth. Is  _____________ bad and is this true. Are there any instances were it may not be true? These are hard questions and many of us are deeply entrenched in our beliefs. After looking at something as difficult as this then apply it to your personal lives and ask the questions regarding education, exercise, food, alcohol and drugs. Then begin to ask yourself deeper questions like am I satisfied with my job, career, relationship(s). By asking these questions we can begin to discover our truth about ourselves and then we at least are presented with a choice to begin to change the ingrained patterns and beliefs that hold us back. With this knowledge you are empowered to step onto the path of personal transformation. When you choose to engage with life on this level I am happy to guide you on this journey. 

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He is out there and it is only you who is responsible for not meeting him. Let me state that again, it is you who is responsible for not meeting him. How do I know this? First, I am a guy and I have invested a huge amount of time and effort to find my soulmate. Have I found her let's just say I am in the process and I will keep you posted. I also just completed a twenty-six week Integral Relationship Facilitator Training course conducted by author Martin Ucik. His book Sex, Love, Purpose will both challenge and educate you. It helped transform my approach to dating and I can say it is now a lot more fun.
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Women I am speaking to you now (Men you will get your turn) and though I am no expert on women I do know what it takes for you, to meet the man of your dreams. It takes a lot of intention to find that special someone. I see a range of women on the dating sites I have been on. Many, not all appear to have little intention for what they are seeking. Let me clarify, that about half the profiles come with no description at all beyond the form you are required to fill out. No wonder you are frustrated as you are not fully engaged in the process of finding your soulmate. Read more:

If you are only relying on your looks alone to attract your soulmate then you are playing into the myth that men only seek beauty. While it is true that some do focus on this, most are seeking real connection, with a real human being. Without declaring your intention or what you are seeking how will he know that you, are his potential soulmate?

Next, I have found many profiles that lead with a disclaimer. Not this, not that, must be this or that. Feels like you are asking for a trial by fire, before we even begin to get to know each other. This is not a grievance proceeding! Not saying that your experiences with men were all great, though there are far better places to sort this out. This will actually attract the manipulators and drive away the good guys and most certainly your soulmate. Please, please, do not use the term hopeless romantic, as that is simply not appealing to your soulmate. Romance, is a beautiful word hopeless, not so much.

Honesty in marketing, state your correct age, even if you feel that you look younger than your age be honest. Next, ten year old pics only lead to disappointment as do headshots that leave us guys guessing. If you are heavier be proud, as there are men who are attracted to every body type. I know this because out in the world, you see all shapes and sizes of couples engaged in all kinds of joyful activities. 

Now, we can begin to get to the part that I love. Creating an intention for what you desire in your soulmate. Before we go deeper let me ask do you know the difference between attributes and qualities? If it's purely attributes you seek,  than find a site where you swipe left or right and ignore what I am about to share. 

Attributes for the man you are seeking - over six foot - taller is better- thick wavy hair -deep set eyes- a strong jaw- muscular- cool profession- financially secure- financially secure- in case you missed the first time- you get my point! Attributes are what we have been trained to focus on because we feel safe when we check the boxes. There is so much more to your soulmate.

Qualities- Are what a person is made of, and when we share what we are made of guess what we attract? You guessed it, our soulmate. State the qualities that are important to you. Examples are, Kindness, strength of character, creativity, patience, wisdom, consciously aware, good conversationalist, active listener, abundant, playful, nurturing, sensual, caring, responsible, physically active, enjoys nature to name a few. 

Now know that the second set does not preclude the first just lead with qualities. An intention is really about what you are offering to Life, God, Spirit. Speak about what is important to you and what gives meaning to your life and invite him in. Be honest as hiding doesn't ever get you what you desire. I will be doing a women's only class in soon followed by a men's only. Then, a four week series on finding your Soulmate for both men and women, if enough of you want this. The initial classes will be free trials, so don't miss this chance to set an intention to find the one who is out there waiting to meet you. Please fill out the contact form on this site to secure a spot and stay informed. These groups will be screened and no lurkers will be invited to participate.
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Most of the people who come to see me are frustrated with the current life they are living. Yes, even more so in 2020 and who would not be. Many see this as the worst time of their lives and I know that many people are going through undue hardship. I am speaking here of those fortunate enough to be healthy and working though not able to do the things they used to do. They may have felt somewhat unhappy or frustrated with their lives before this happened, and were keeping themselves so busy, that  they did not have time to think about it. Now there is time! 

Does this resonate with you? If so, believe me when I say this is a great opportunity, right this moment, to begin to put in place a foundation for a whole new life. The life you would like to live if you weren't too busy living your current one. It's true that we need to make room for our new life because you cannot build it on top of your current one. Just like you cannot renovate a room when it is full of junk. 
I feel your frustration and know that you have been making an effort, you start to get results then it falls apart. Which is even more frustrating! It falls apart because you need these three things to make the desired change permanent.

1. You need to clean the junk out of the room.
2. You need a clearly defined renovation plan. 
3. You need to show up everyday until the renovation is complete.

You know this is true because you have done this before. You didn't clean out the junk. You didn't have a good plan, not really. You stopped showing up to work! Then you blame yourself for failing when you didn't fail, you quit. You quit because you tried to renovate a room that was full of junk.
When we work together I will guide you through these three simple steps until it is complete. Fill out a contact form for a free consultation on the three simple steps needed:  https://www.intentionalhypnosis.com/contact.html​

A week ago at midnight our state rolled back our opening and if you felt your heart sink, then I am with you. My thoughts are also with those directly impacted economically by having to close, drastically cut back or who are once again laid off. Indoor dining, bars and gyms, retail and so many more. I feel fortunate to be in a category that remains open. 
The truth is in any normal year when the nights grow long, it is challenging emotionally. We find ourselves going to and coming home from work, in the dark. It's also cold, wet and dreary, now add Covid-19 to the mix and we have a real mess. Who wouldn't feel down, we were hoping this would end and it's dragging on, we're closing down as darkness closes in.  I feel your pain as no one needs to feel this way, you are trying your best but not sure if you have anything left to give. The truth is you can get back on track in fact you will be stronger for having faced this ordeal you just need help. Do these three simple things each day to shift from feeling down to moving forward. 

Activate Optimism with a 5-7-5 Breathing Exercise- Inhale count to 5- Exhale count to 7- Pause the breath at the bottom of the exhale to count of 5. (Count is about 1 second or say 1 hundred 2 hundred etc.) Repeat for 9 cycles. Do as needed daily to energize your body and mind and to alleviate stress.
Write a list of 10 things that you are grateful for in that moment. Can be as simple as the food we eat or our bed or the connections we make as we walk through our day. Put the list in your pocket and review it 3 times or more throughout your day. Add electric lights if you like, as the world was so much darker without them. You get the idea.
Remind yourself of some act of kindness or caring that you did any time or place in your life and imagine that you are there now. Ask if there is a feeling located anywhere in your body associated with this act. Is there a sensation of warmth or coolness, tingling, are you comfortable or happy maybe joyful. Do this 2 times a day.    

Opening doorways of possibility with a Conscious Intention begins your change process. The problem is that this Conscious Intention though strong is most often not enough to complete the process. You have done this yourself, started on the road to making your desired change only to fall back into your old familiar patterns. Go easy on yourself as these patterns are challenging to see and equally difficult to change.
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These programs are difficult to change long term because the part of us that is invested in the life as we are currently living is resistant to change. That is the the part that is still governed by these unconscious patterns. This part thinks that it is doing its job of serving us, through keeping our old beliefs intact. These beliefs form a story that repeats itself and makes the change process difficult. The story itself is mostly unconscious and defines what we will or will not allow in our lives. This creates a frustrating yoyo effect of opening and closing the doorways of Intention. It is unconscious intention that blocks us from stepping through the door and into the life we would choose to live. Learn how to move past this block. Read more:

Have you noticed the term authenticity being used a lot lately? I sense that people want to be authentic, yet wonder how many actually understand what it takes to do so. The  problem as I see it is directional, outward or inward. Looking outward to define yourself, often making choices to please others by being a team player or even to avoid blame or shame. You may find that words and actions feel a little out of sync or perhaps not quite your own. ​

This misalignment presents itself as a hesitation or inaction that may cause self-doubt. This stops you from speaking or acting from your truth and leaves you with a feeling of shame for not having done so. You may have experienced a desire to speak to a cute gal or guy at a social event or a desire to ask your employer for a raise. It could be something you want to speak to your spouse about, yet you keep putting it off. It's not your fault, as this hesitation was programmed into you as young child and then reinforced over time. It is largely an unconscious program which is challenging to see and to change. It is uncomfortable to do things that you aren't proud of and yet it seems like you just can't stop yourself. If it feels like you are a character in a story, playing a predetermined role then you are beginning to awaken to your truth. This is your programming or background story, the Buddhists call it conditioning. The key to changing the story is to begin by bringing awareness to it. We then see it for the trap it is, and we begin to change it. Intentional Hypnosis programs guide you on both a conscious and subconscious level to make choices in the moment. This becomes a practice that leads to a freedom that few experience.       ​

Each of you has a personal story that guides your lives. Unfortunately for many it's not a really productive one. Let's imagine for a moment that you have a negative psychic twin that goes with you everywhere and is constantly talking to you.
Every thought you have your twin likes to comment on. You see a cute gal or guy at the grocery store and you want to say hello. Then the twin chimes in with a warning that says remember what happened last time you tried that? Yes, you do remember and you keep quiet, while the opportunity slips away. 
What about that raise at work? You head towards the bosses door with just the right words to say and before you enter you veer away your twin comforting you. It's probably not a good time let's pick a better moment. You have an urge to speak up at a meeting and you hold back. Whew! That was a close call, you almost made a fool of yourself.   

I am sure that each of you can add examples of your own that left you feeling frustrated and angry. I feel your pain, this is not the way you wanted to live your life. It's not fair to have a critic that second guesses your every move.
If this were a friend you would be wise to move on. So how can you handle your psychic twin? The answer is to help them change their story to be more supportive. What if the twin started to encourage you to step through your fears instead of reinforcing them. The twin is not evil they are actually trying to protect you from embarrassment or failure. Truth be told failure is just a learning experience that says let's do it again differently and embarrassment is a reflex. It will fade away the more you step up and take the action to create the change that you desire. 
I will guide your twin to create an intention and a story that supports you to make good choices. Decisions that will be in line with what you really want. I do this with coaching and hypnosis programs that make those choices easier each time you make them. I do have a suggestion for you. Your twin may object to the change process and come up with a lot of suggestions for not working with me. Ignore that voice and come see me it will very likely change your life.    ​