A little pitch and toss
Hello there! I hope all’s well where you are. In my world, the ecological emergency is unfolding apace, and I am unfurling into its implications, and creating a realistic response through how I live and interact. Part of that involves looking for ways to work, and so I’m writing this to you as background to your foreground, or, in other words, to what matters to you right now. You can then decide whether or not I might be able to be of service to you, either in a single session or over a course of classes or conversations.
First, then, I’m a philosopher, but for me, that has always also meant being a wordsmith. My first degree was in Philosophy and English Literature and I remain wholly dedicated to the magic and mystery of words, and to how we understand and tell ourselves the story of what is really going on. Therefore if you want to work with me on a piece you’re writing, be that a book or a presentation, or even a non AI generated reflection on what it means to be human, I’d love to help. Moreover, if you’re attempting to understand a knotty question concerning tensions and conflicting interests, I can use my know how, such as it is, to help unravel some issues that can obscure your view, so you can see more clearly what might be the way to go.
Well into my twenties, having worked in Hungary, Sudan and Indonesia, dropped out and crawled back into society via work in a therapeutic community, I went on to do a Master’s in Forced Migration Studies in Oxford. Under the supervision of my mentor, (until her death in 2018), Professor Emeritus Barbara Harrell-Bond, I realised “you don’t get given power: you take it”. I’ve thought about that long and hard. Forced migration is a thorny issue these days, but I’m happy to help, given my six years’ experience as a writer, practitioner and researcher in Oxford and London, and then for a year in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, and my extensive experience writing papers for publication and presentation in Oxford and the West Bank.
In 1998 I came to Ireland, and life changed considerably. I married, had children, and in 2002, qualified as a yoga and meditation teacher after a two year training with the Yoga and Therapy Training Centre in Co Down. I’m more than happy to work on intelligently designed bespoke courses for helping any condition, from depression to dementia, from blood pressure to social anxiety. A flexible approach makes a huge difference. I’ve worked with community groups and business owners, on retreats in Portugal and Ireland, and I’m always happy to explore new options. I’ve very interested in the potential of yoga nidra and lucid dreaming. Waking up in dreams is incredibly powerful. Manifestation has taken the wellness industry by storm and is a billion dollar money spinner. The truth is, the only real use for manifestation is to transform the self. That, though, changes everything… contact me for more details on this.
In 2014 I completed a PhD in Environmental Philosophy. Finishing big projects, like the three books and the 80,000 word dissertation, has let me explore the battles we all meet when working alone, unsupported and unfunded. Resistance creates resilience. This work not only expanded me intellectually, but it let me develop personally. I’ve created courses that echo what works. Some of these include:
Existential mentoring (finding meaning and purpose in your life beyond religion)
The art of becoming a peaceful warrior
Assertiveness (compassionate communication techniques for dealing with conflict)
Meditation techniques that work for you
Breathing (pranayama) techniques to lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety
Creative writing
Diet and lifestyle changes for self transformation
Gentle stretching as a daily habit
Ecological emergency — understanding the connection between eco and ego
Eco anxiety and effective action
Relaxation techniques
Yoga for You
I’m free to contact, and explore, and I’m fair when it comes to pricing what I do. So let me know what work you need and we can set ourselves some tasks, and watch the spirals unshackle us from shame to growth and flow.