For a while I worked extremely hard at becoming free. I believed that if I applied myself diligently enough, with sufficient sincerity, devotion, perseverance, and discipline I would eventually achieve a lasting state of deep inner-peace. I imagined that I would be a saintly human being, emanating loving kindness, experiencing profound freedom, and that all issues around relationship, money and competence would bow in defeat and disappear permanently. At times that happens, and I am not convinced of the permanency yet :)

What has happened is my beleaguered marriage ended amicably; the love and respect I feel for my ex-wife continues to deepen. My father passed on, presenting a profound understanding of the strength of my projections upon him. I was becoming kinder and more loving, yet internally I was still bullying myself to be more saintly. Eventually, I came to see that the way I was trying to make myself into a kinder, more loving man, though well meaning, was not kind at all.

Through doing The Work, my interest in changing myself has lessened significantly. I no longer beat myself up as severely or frequently with the idea that I should be more loving than I am. Most of the time I'm okay with being me—even as rage arises, even as I feel inept, even as a longing for companionship arrives for a visit. There is openness to whatever arises, including resistance.

Peace has deepened. Episodes of discord continue to diminish in intensity and duration - a good thing.

I was first introduced to The Work in 1996, and in 2003 I attended The School for The Work. Finding The Work to be a simple, clear and effective way out of suffering, it's my delight to offer courses, workshops and sessions.