The last few weeks, I’ve been blooming. My work is moving out of me with fluidity and ease. And as a result, there’s lots to share in this email.
I’ve got new videos on the way, new group work I’m launching, and lots of joy in my heart as Mardi Gras approaches!
Feel free to reply to this email and let me know your thoughts; replies go directly to my inbox.
1. What is “Carpet Work?”
A few weeks ago, I did the most intense psychospiritual healing I've ever done: I facilitated carpet work on my first initiation weekend with the Mankind Project.
The Mankind Project began in the '80s and '90s as part of the mythopoetic men's movement. It combines Jungian psychology, mythology, poetry, initiatory weekend retreats, and support group style meetings. I've been a member for close to two years, and I'd earned the right to staff at one of the invitations weekends north of Houston.
I'd heard that the weekend's leader, Martin Lassoff, was a master at his craft. With 181 staffings over the course of 30 years, he was a legend.
He'd written a guidebook on the art of facilitation, and I'd studied it. And now I had the chance to serve under him and learn from a master.
His expertise became clear early: he was keenly attentive to the energy of the room. More than that, he could shift it. He sensed fear and confusion in the air and knew how to bring it out onto the floor and replace it with courage. He gave stirring speeches with a no-nonsense demeanor and a fierce but loving heart.
While I've never seen a general go about his work, this weekend, I felt I was in the presence of a great one.
When it came time for the carpet work—or "GUTS" as it's also called—Lassoff spoke to us like soldiers on the eve of war. He divided us into three squads. And we divided further by experience.
The stakes were clear: 28 men were putting their lives in our hands. They trusted us to break through their psychological armor. They spent their lives carrying this heavy protection, suffering in silence from trauma, abuse, grief that they had been unable to release—or even admit that they had. They were here so they could rage and scream, weep and laugh, for their high walls to crash to the earth, and most importantly, they were here to forgive and be forgiven.
Nine months ago, I stood in their shoes, facing-off in a process called a "gauntlet" against my father's anger, which haunted me even after I'd forgiven him. The work broke me open and transformed my relationship with fear. I knew this type of psychodrama was something I needed to learn for myself.
For nine months I studied these processes, and now it was my turn to return the favor to these men.
We lined up in formation and Lassoff began pounding his chest with his palm. We marched in time to the beating of our hearts. For the second time in my life, I felt like I was entering into spiritual battle.
We entered the building where the initiates were waiting and split into our three circles. The drums began to beat and the first man stepped out onto the carpet. All hell broke loose. Within minutes, men began to scream, either in anger or in pain. Facilitators yelled over each other. Confusion. Fear. Anger. Grief. Redemption. Again and again, man after man, for hours.
A stoic philosopher once said that all crises will pass. After the crisis, all you have left is how you acted in the crisis.
At the end of the night, I had facilitated three men, and assisted with three or four others. I had played the role of magician, midwife, evil mother, false father-deity—or as Lassoff would say, an initiator of men. I was tired and smelled of sweat.
Several of the older men took me aside afterwards. They'd seen me in the thick of it. For a first-timer, they said I'd done well.
Afterwards, I walked alone onto the ceremonial land: a dark field of circled stones. I felt the presence of my ancestors behind me: the lineage of rabbis who'd struggled with God; the men and woman who fought, survived, or died in WWII. And those much further back. I felt as though I'd stepped into their rank.
Years ago, a rabbi told me, "I would trust you in a war." He had served in the Israeli army and it was a striking complement, but I didn't know if I could believe him. How could he know? Now, I can see in myself a glimmer of what he saw in me then.
2. Free First Session - Mentoring & Guidance
For a limited time, I’m offering free sample sessions of 1:1 private work.
Personal healing, inner child work, shadow work,
If you feel stalled in your spiritual journey, stuck in a recurring cycle, or looking to continue your growth outside of traditional therapy or spiritual work, please reach out. I offer:
IFS parts work
Integrating difficult awakening, psychedelic, or difficult spiritual experiences
Inner child work
Love and relationships, including romantic love, self-love, and parental relationships
Right now, I'm offering free first sessions so you can get a feel for how I work and if it would be right for you in your growth. If you're interested to try a session or speak to someone who's worked with me before, reply to this email, or schedule a free session here:
You can also watch this video to learn more about how I work:
With warmth and love from the depths of the New Orleans Carnival season,
Daniel