ORIENTATION

The heart of a human being

is no different than the

soul of heaven and earth.

Your heart is full of fertile seeds

waiting to sprout.

O Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969),

Founder of Aikido

Contemplative soulwork is a form of spiritual companioning, life-path exploration, and creative coaching. It is a way of collaborative inner work, attending to the themes stirring within a life. It is not psychotherapy or mental health counseling but rather a process of sacred inquiry and exploration of one's life path, creativity, and soul.

Each person is communicated with as a Fellow Traveler on a journey, not as a "student" or "patient." There are no doctors or gurus here.

Through this exploration, a learning process is activated and unfurls toward greater awareness, alignment, integration, and life congruence. The journey flows at a natural pace, honoring the themes that arise — which may apply as much to matters of creativity, lifestyle, and present-day life choices as it does to spirituality, dreams, the impact of these times of change, or past experiences of heart-mind.

The view here is that the soul has an ancient, autonomous intelligence whose unfolding wisdom is revealed in gradual ways, but whose fullness, energy, momentum, and directives are concealed in the subterranean depths of who we are.

Accessing the wisdom of the soul is an ongoing practice and often necessitates slowing down and paying attention. I call the practice of attuning to the emerging themes of soul: contemplative soulwork.

Individuals Who Benefit Most

From Contemplative Soulwork

• People traveling through the sometimes confusing terrain of midlife (and other life transitions)

• Individuals exploring themes of spiritual clarification

• People seeking to develop a deeper relationship with their inner world and dreams

• HSPs (highly-sensitive persons a.k.a. highly-attuned persons) just beginning to learn about their traits (Are you an HSP?)

• Artists, writers, and poets (and would-be creatives) working through creative blocks or seeking to establish an art practice

• Leaders and managers in organizations navigating inner and outer change

• Those fellow travelers interested in cultivating a meditation practice, a Nature-oriented spirituality, and contemplative life

• People who have actively chosen to follow a solitary path of spirituality (but who still need support on their way)

In my work with people, first and foremost, I come from an inclusive, welcoming, path-affirming, interfaith approach. My university studies in comparative religions, my own personal experiences with spirituality over the years, and post-graduate studies in a year-long ACPE-approved training in Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy have tempered within me a cross-cultural sensitivity and a deep and abiding appreciation for all of the world's wisdom traditions.

The School of Soft-Attention is a safe zone. I have worked with people of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Whatever your spiritual tradition, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, or gender identification, my space-holding ethic is to support you in your authentic unfoldment.

Statement of Inclusivity

Learn More About the Process

of Contemplative Soulwork

DISCLAIMER

The School of Soft-Attention is a form of contemplative soulwork, spiritual companioning, creative inquiry, and life path exploration. Our work together is held in strict confidentiality. Though I have a graduate degree in counseling psychology and advanced training in psychotherapy, this work is not intended to serve as a substitute for mental health counseling, psychiatric treatment, addiction recovery, or other medical care. If in the process of working together, themes, content, or issues arise that fall outside the purview of contemplative soulwork, then traditional counseling, psychotherapy, recovery work, or psychiatric services will be recommended. Every effort will be made to connect you with those resources.

© 2023 / The School of Soft-Attention / Frank Inzan Owen / All Rights Reserved