THE JOURNEY

Every day is a journey,

and the journey itself is home.

Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694)

The soul yearns to align with its essential expression. Tending this sometimes mysterious process is a journey. The ever-unfurling principle of growth that underlies all of life is what connects us to Source, Great Nature, the Dao [the Path, or the Way]. It connects us to our artistry, our creativity, and our deeper callings. It connects us to each other and to experiences of Synchronicity (meaningful alignments in life)

I view the principle of soul-growth within each person as inseparable from Nature. In fact, I think of this phenomenon as the Soul-Force of Great Nature within each of us. Because each person is unique, there is no cookie-cutter template for what takes place within a contemplative soulwork session. Each journey of contemplative soulwork is different for each individual and tailored to the specific goals and themes that are stirring at any given time. Sometimes this occurs via sacred dialogue. Sometimes it is more experiential. While no two sessions are identical, there is a general flow, pattern, or framework within which the work occurs.

VIDEO CALL (75 minutes)

We connect via your preferred video call platform.

I recommend Signal (for mobile or desktop) because of its advanced security features but can accommodate others (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet, Facebook Messenger).

THE SOUL REPORT

(A "Field Report" of Themes)

Within a day or two of our first session, you will receive what I call a "soul report" — a written dispatch reflecting back themes that arose during the session, along with a variety of other potential facets for you to work with further.

Often at the beginning of our work together, "Soul Reports" will be longer (more extensive) as we map out the themes stirring. As we proceed with the work, these dispatches become streamlined one-pagers.

Soul Reports may include:

+ questions of sacred inquiry for contemplation

+ journal writing exercises

+ suggested practices or experiments

+ articles or suggested books

+ relevant videos

+ other resources or "scent trails" to explore

+ any other identified issues that exist as obstacles to well-being and soul growth

Any resource, experiment, practice, journal writing exercise, or other suggestions sent over is intended to augment the emerging themes from the session and is offered with the intention of deepening your connection to your own path.

These offerings, combined with the in-session work, and your own disciplined attention to journaling between sessions become a "map." Looking back, it will become obvious that these various offerings will have been guideposts and the journey will have taken us through various gateways. Soul reports enable you, over time, to go back and revisit these various gates and themes. At various junctures, you will also be encouraged to review and 'tune back in' with earlier soul reports to reconnect you with the process and your relationship with the themes.

FREQUENCY

(How Often We Meet)

Some fellow travelers want to connect twice a month, some once a month, and some once per season. Some people prefer to contract with me for one video session per month with brief written correspondence in-between sessions. These brief "check-ins" or "tune-ins" about the work and themes enable clarification and deepening of the insights in-between sessions.

Some fellow travelers prefer to have longer phases of solitary time in between "path-crossings" so they may go even deeper with the themes, exercises, questions, and resources that arise in the work.

In some instances, it becomes clear that a person needs to pursue a therapeutic relationship (psychotherapy, healing, or recovery work) before proceeding with the explorations of contemplative soulwork. In other instances, some individuals choose to pursue contemplative soulwork and an additional, outside therapeutic modality in tandem.

The nature of the journey together - whatever the configuration - is shaped by a person's own schedule, goals, and the themes that arise.

SACRED RECIPROCITY

(payment for services/time; please read carefully)

Everything in the Cosmos operates in terms of energy. My focus, presence, attention, co-walking, consulting, and the time I put into a Soul Report requires energy. It is energy gladly given in service and in support of your path of unfoldment.

As a matter of reciprocity, in exchange for this time, energy, and focus, my rate for contemplative soulwork is $108 (U.S. Dollars) per session.

The Soul Report (and any subsequent one-sheeters of resources for you to explore as our work continues) is an offering made in support of your path. There is no charge for the Soul Report or one-sheeters; but — in the spirit of the Buddhist custom of dāna — if you are moved to make a donation, any such dāna-donations are gladly welcomed.

Payment for sessions is due upon completion of the session. Soul Reports are sent within two days after payment is received. My preferred payment systems are through CashApp or PayPal. If you do not have either of these, we can discuss other options.

Note to International Clients: If you hail from a country other than the U.S. e.g. Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, UK, please be aware that there are currency differences and you will need to do the conversion in your own currency to $108 (U.S.).

CANCELLATIONS

If we schedule a session and something arises that will prevent you from keeping an appointment time, please endeavor to provide a day's advance notice that you need to cancel. If such notice is not received, you will be financially responsible for the time that was reserved just for you.

Schedule a Session

If the format of this work sounds like it would be of support to you and your path, send me an email and we can find a time that fits within the flow of our schedules.

Learn More About

My Background

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

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 therapeutic in nature and 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.