From the desk of Dr. Mark Pirtle.
Embrace wholeness by acknowledging all parts of yourself, including the shadow. Use shadow work to discover, heal, and transform towards a more authentic life.
Life-altering events can shake us to our core—but they can also shape us in powerful ways. In this post, I reflect on two major turning points in my life: the loss of my business and my divorce. Both left me disoriented and hurting. But through extended retreats—first at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery and later through plant medicine—I found perspective, healing, and a path forward. If you’re navigating a personal upheaval, this post offers insight into the psychological toll of big change and the quiet power of stepping away to reconnect with what matters.
Talking to yourself in the third person (Illeism) may feel odd at first, but it creates instant distance from swirling emotions. In this post I share how “Name It to Tame It” carried me through a rough divorce, why it works neurologically, and how you can use it for quick, compassionate shadow work. I also invite readers to go deeper through one‑on‑one coaching or an upcoming plant‑medicine retreat at Tubac Ranch.
In this honest and uplifting reflection, Mark shares a personal story about a friend whose daily commitment to his artistic calling brought unexpected healing. He weaves in insights about depression, procrastination, and the voice that says “not today”—and how shadow work helps us meet it with curiosity. The post ends with a powerful call to reconnect with what matters, even if you’ve fallen off track. Because saying yes to the grind, over and over, is what unlocks the goodness.
In this heartfelt post, I reflect on a powerful teaching I received during my time at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery: “Love is wanting someone to be happy.” This simple definition has shaped the way I understand love, connection, and fulfillment. I explore how true happiness often comes through attunement—offering genuine, present attention to others and ourselves. By weaving in the tools of shadow work, I share how we can move closer to authentic self-love and invite readers to consider retreating with me this year as a way to return to what matters most.
We all face big decisions—whether to stay the course or make a bold change. In this post, Mark explores how shadow work can open up the inner space to sit with life's biggest questions. You’ll learn why logic alone won’t get you there, how unconscious patterns and external pressures shape our choices, and why stepping away—on retreat or into reflection—might be exactly what’s needed to rediscover your next “right” step.
Loss has a way of resurfacing old wounds, blending past and present grief into a heavy emotional weight. In this reflection on losing my beloved cat Ramses, I explore how the Polyvagal Theory explains the way our nervous system processes grief and how Shadow Work reveals the deeper layers beneath our emotions. Through Skillful Awareness, I’ve learned to feel my pain without amplifying it—to let grief come, be, and go. If loss is weighing on you, this post invites you to explore your emotions with self-awareness and mindfulness, offering insight into how we can process life’s most challenging moments with resilience and grace.
In this heartfelt blog post, Mark shares the emotional experience of saying goodbye to his beloved cat Ramses, who succumbed to cancer. Through his story, Mark explores the themes of love, loss, and the preciousness of moments shared with our loved ones. He reflects on the lessons learned from Ramses about caring deeply and the significance of cherishing every moment. This narrative serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of holding onto the love and memories we create with those who touch our lives.
In this insightful post, Mark Pirtle explores the crucial role of making and keeping agreements in both personal and professional relationships. Drawing from the experiences of a client, he introduces the "Six Stages of Oversight," a model illustrating the progression of employee empowerment and responsibility. This model not only applies to business but also reflects the foundations of trust and accountability necessary for thriving relationships. Mark discusses how shadow work can help individuals understand and overcome the subconscious barriers that prevent them from keeping their commitments. He invites readers to join him for a Plant Medicine Retreat in May, where they can explore their relationship dynamics and learn to apply these insights for significant personal growth and relational success.
In "Skillful Awareness for Anger (and other emotions)," Mark shares his personal challenges with anger stemming from childhood trauma and outlines how he has transformed his approach to emotional regulation. The newsletter delves into the integration of Buddhist mindfulness, Integral perspective-taking, and Shadow Work to form what Mark calls Skillful Awareness. This method helps observe reactions without attachment, allowing for wiser responses to life's triggers. Mark invites readers to explore these techniques further through upcoming retreats, offering a pathway to break free from reactive habits and embrace a more intentional way of living.
As we end 2024, Mark expresses gratitude for this community’s shared journey of mindfulness and growth. The holidays offer moments to cherish and opportunities for reflection. Take time to pause, breathe, and set intentions for the New Year. If you want to deepen your growth, join the 2025 "Change Your Story, Change Your Life" retreat series.
The tragic story of Brian Thompson and the disturbing reactions it sparked highlight the need for shadow work. Shadow work uncovers the unconscious values and biases driving our actions and helps us align with a vision of equity and sustainability. To change broken systems, we must first evolve within ourselves, choosing mindfulness, compassion, and personal transformation over violence and blame.
Holiday gatherings can be emotionally charged, especially when differing political perspectives clash. Shadow work helps us recognize the unconscious fears, judgments, and needs driving our reactions, empowering us to respond skillfully instead of defensively. This holiday season, take a breath, pause, and discover what your emotions are teaching you about yourself.
