My Path Back to Wellness
Photo by Tomas Aceda
Hello all,
It occurred to me that not all of my readers know how I came to do the work I do. I thought sharing my story might inspire some of you to start your own spiritual practice.
Driven By Greed
In my thirties, I was driven by material success, not realizing insecurities and unresolved traumas were the driving forces. Two partners and I co-founded a Physical Therapy business. Within two years revenue by 1000%. We were a success! But behind the scenes, tensions brewed. None of us were emotionally mature and as the pressure mounted, our relationships grew antagonistic.
The Fall
Eventually, we entered into a bitter court fight that left me stripped of nearly everything I’d built: my business, reputation, income, title, and most profoundly, my sense of self. That period of my life was a collapse in every sense.
Stress and Illness
After years of intense stress and anger my body broke down. I developed several stress-related illnesses. The coping mechanisms I had relied on—pills, distractions, and addictions—stopped working. My health declined, and I reached a point where I realized nothing external was going to heal me.
Turning Things Around
That's when I committed to training my mind. That decision led me to a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery where I learned to meditate. Meditation was not a quick fix, nor did it promise to erase my pain. But it did offer something more powerful. It taught me to sit with discomfort without resisting it.
Shadow Work
With the addition of shadow work, I began to recognize the unresolved fears, ambitions, and insecurities that drove me. Shadow work involves recognizing unconscious motivations, fears, and past traumas. Through this work, I saw that greed was a symptom of my unresolved needs and insecurities.
Life is Still Hard, But...
I write this essay at another stressful point in my life. Yet, I’m happy to say that the composure I’ve developed through shadow work and mindfulness has helped me to manage my current stress with much more skillfulness. I now have the tools to handle difficulties with grace.
Are You Hurting Too?
I share my story with the hope that it resonates with those of you who are facing your own shadow difficulties. Whether you’ve lost a business, experienced a health crisis, or are simply trying to find meaning in the midst of struggle, shadow work and mindfulness can help. If you're ready to begin your journey, I encourage you to reach out.
An Invitation
For those of you who are interested, I’m hosting a retreat November 21-24 specifically designed for people in transition. Click here to set up a quick call to talk about it.
Wishing you abundant health, happiness, and prosperity,
Mark
Answer the Call
If you’re struggling to navigate a challenging period in your life, shadow work and mindfulness can help you find clarity and strength. Whether it’s overcoming personal crises, healing from past traumas, or building resilience, I’m here to guide you. Join my November 21-24 retreat designed for people in transition, or let’s explore one-on-one coaching tailored to your needs. Reach out today to begin your journey toward transformation.
Questions for Reflection
How can shadow work help address feelings of loss and failure?
Shadow work allows you to confront unresolved fears and insecurities, giving you the insight needed to rebuild self-confidence and resilience.
What role does mindfulness play in managing stress?
Mindfulness helps you stay present with discomfort, reducing the emotional intensity of stress and providing tools to respond with grace.
Are you ready to take the first step toward self-discovery?
Start by exploring your internal narratives and how they shape your responses. Shadow work and mindfulness can guide this process and lead to profound growth.
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