Since my high school days in the early 1980s, I’ve been a spiritual explorer, working with a lot of different disciplines and tools.
Tarot
My journey with tarot began in the early 1980s. In 1986, a dear friend gave me the Voyager Tarot deck, by James Wanless and Ken Knutson, and it was my companion for readings for years. The deck is a modern take on traditional tarot, using photo collages of universal symbols and archetypes instead of medieval imagery. Through the 1990s and early 2000s, I read tarot professionally, helping many people find clarity through the cards. I’m not actively reading these days, but it remains part of how I reflect and explore.
Meditation
My meditation practice also started in the early 1980s, exploring different forms of meditation and creative visualization. But it was in the early 2000s that I found Vipassana, and it changed my life.
Vipassana means “to see things as they really are.” It’s an ancient technique focused on self-transformation through self-observation. By paying close, disciplined attention to physical sensations, it builds an understanding of how deeply the mind and body are connected, with the aim of a calmer, more compassionate mind. People usually learn it on ten-day residential courses.
My first ten-day silent retreat was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and the results made every difficult hour worth it. I’ve sat several retreats since and still practice regularly. It has deepened my self-awareness and brought a real steadiness to ordinary life.
Feng Shui
Feng Shui has shaped how I think about creating harmonious spaces.
It’s an ancient Chinese practice for harmonizing people with their surroundings. The phrase translates to “wind-water,” a nod to its roots in nature. The idea is to arrange spaces, objects, and buildings to improve the flow of energy, or chi, and create balance. Done well, it can support your well-being, your relationships, and your sense of ease at home.
From the mid-1990s through the early 2000s, I worked as a professional Feng Shui consultant, helping clients improve the energy flow in their homes and workplaces. I no longer practice professionally, but the principles still shape my daily life. I use them to arrange my own home and office for better flow and a calmer feel.