Dear Subscriber First Name,

I often shape my newsletters by patterns I’m noticing with clients. This month, I’m sharing a few reflections from my own journal. Because who doesn’t want to learn a little more about the person they pay to ask them unidirectional questions?

Maybe there’s value in stepping aside from the polished version of ourselves and remembering that none of us has arrived—we’re all still becoming—even the person sitting across from you.

With love, Tara

The Fulcrum of Wonder

In my work, I talk about polarities—two ends of a spectrum, like a seesaw. In the middle is the fulcrum: a place of balance, stillness, and neutrality—where something new becomes possible.

Lately, I’ve been contemplating the polarity of knowing/not knowing.

As an Aquarius, my default mantra is I know. Not in a know-it-all way—more like an intuitive knowing, a gut-level certainty: I just know.

But then I catch myself asking:

What exists at the fulcrum between knowing and not knowing?

When “I know” becomes the landing place, we stop learning. We stop being curious. Many spiritual teachings invite us back to Beginner’s Mind—approaching life as if you don’t yet know what it is, or how it will unfold.

And honestly, that felt like a beautiful challenge for this Aquarian.

Recently, I attended a workshop with Joe Hudson and the Art of Accomplishment on the topic of Wonder. I logged in and immediately felt my ego showing up:

I’ve been doing this work for 25 years. What could I possibly learn? Why am I here again?

I had forgotten my Beginner’s Mind.

Thankfully, I caught myself.

Eventually, I settled in. We did a simple small-group exercise. In the quest for wonder, we were instructed to ask only What and How questions—no answers, no advice, no knowing.

Just wonder.

When it was my turn, I asked: What will people think of me if I’m vulnerable?

The next person asked: How do you feel about other people when they are vulnerable with you?

I know the round of questions continued but that question stopped me. I got my answer without looking for it!

I deeply admire vulnerability. I see it as brave and trusting. So why had I felt intimidated about being vulnerable with others?

I’m not sure I ever will again.

Wonder invited me one step deeper into the place of not knowing. And it changed my life.

Knowing gives us a place to stand.
Not knowing gives us somewhere to go—or somewhere to escape to when fear shows up.

And here’s what I realized: for me, wonder lives at the fulcrum.

So if you’re ever stuck in the darkness of “I don’t know,” the way through might be to simply light the torch of wonder. It won’t reveal the whole path, but it just might give you enough light for the next step.

Joe Hudson and the Art of Accomplishment have been my steady source of inspiration lately. There are so many videos and conversations to explore. He’s truly amazing. I learn something new each time.

Close your eyes, settle in, and listen to this conversation about wonder—curiosity, without looking for an answer—and see where your path of wonder leads you.

October Retreat Update -
Practicing Not Knowing

And now I’m being asked to practice.

For personal reasons, I need to cancel the Oregon retreat I had planned for October. It breaks my heart—I was really looking forward to sharing this little piece of heaven with you!—but I need to stay close to home this fall.

Part of me wants to make meaning, figure out what’s next, force clarity ...

But another part of me is choosing wonder instead.

I know I need to be in New York for the majority of the next few months.

I don’t know exactly when the retreat will happen again, or what it will look like.

Maybe this pause is creating space for something I can’t yet see.

My psilocybin facilitation training program begins this fall and I will be licensed in Oregon in the spring. Perhaps the next retreat can offer a little bit of “magic” that wouldn’t have been available in October.

Hmm. I wonder.

I usually include a new recipe in each edition, but summer left me too busy—and honestly too hot—to cook much.

So I’m not going to pretend I developed something new in the background. Instead, I’m bringing back a few summery favorites from past newsletters—because if I’m being honest, many of you probably didn’t get all the way to the end of those editions anyway.

Consider this your second chance:

• Açai Bowl

• Arugula & Wild Rice Salad with Marinated Mushrooms, Roasted Asparagus, & Goat Cheese

• Avocado Toast with Smoked Salmon, Capers, & Pickled Onion

• Fish Tacos with Cashew Crema

• Lemony Lentils with Wilted Kale

• Nori Wraps with Lemon-Tahini Sauce

• Whole Bowl

Note: the links bring you to the full newsletters. Scroll to the end. Recipes are the last section.

Bon Appétit!

If you have questions about anything I’ve written here—or if you simply want to reach out—please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m always happy to connect and continue the dialogue.

And if you know someone who might benefit from these reflections, please feel free to forward this newsletter along. The more we can spread messages of curiosity, balance, compassion, and shared humanity, the better.

If you’d like to book a holistic counseling session or register for any upcoming events, you can do so through my website.

I look forward to connecting with you soon.

Much love,
Tara