Humans are by nature deeply relational beings who are seeking true connection: with their environment, with other beings, and ultimately with themselves. If those connections are not tangibly felt, life becomes difficult. When we are disconnected, love can feel remote or nonexistent. Trust is replaced by fear, loneliness and sometimes even isolation.

During disruptive events, such as illness and death in particular, we need a vital connection with another person. We need nurturing and care that embraces and envelops us. We need care that extends beyond the purely medical.

Such a living connection, from person to person, creates a container of loving togetherness in which fears and insecurities can be addressed. As a spiritual counselor it is my role to be present, and to be a support for you in turbulent times. Think of me as a kind ferryman who keeps the boat steady and in balance while you sail to the other side.

You are the sole authority on your spiritual life! With time, introspection, and contemplation, you may discern what best advances your spiritual growth.

In spiritual direction, a trained and experienced companion uses various skills to encourage your unique spiritual story to unfurl. Through this relationship, you are empowered to explore a deeper experience of what you consider to be Sacred, and at the same time enjoy a deeper experience of your own life.

I invite you to enter into such a relationship based on mutuality and respect.

"What does a human in despair need? Another human being".

Martin Buber

A spiritual caregiver is not a therapist, psychologist, priest, nurse or coach. A spiritual caregiver is a companion, a fellow human being standing by your side.

As a spiritual caregiver I am a fellow human being who is there to support you in 'non-medical areas'. I am there for you when you are faced with the questions: Why is this happening to me? How should I proceed? How can I say goodbye? Where do I find strength and comfort?

These are existential questions. They are at the same time both about and beyond religion and beliefs, touching us to the very core of our humanity. I would like to meet you where you are, honoring your beliefs and your questions.

A funeral is an important marker in time. We can think of it as a door, a portal. It is the moment when our lives in physical bodies say farewell to one other. It is  the moment a boat pushes off from the familiar bank and begins the journey up an invisible river, into unknowable realms. The surviving relatives and community remain behind on the shoreline.

I am here to support you and your family in designing a personal farewell ceremony. Bring your memories and together we will write texts that are honoring and appropriate. If it is your wish, I am also available to officiate the ceremony, lead a funerary ritual, or provide musical support.

Everyone deserves to be accompanied until the end. Based on that vision, I also guide deceased people whose funeral is lonely. Do you know of someone who has passed away away alone? Please contact me. 

As the end approaches, all sorts of things rush through one’s mind. What else do you want to say? What else do you want to pass on? There are certain stories that belong to the ending. If you wish, you can share them with me and I will write them down. Together we will make a book containing stories & personal photos to leave as a valuable and tangible memory for your relatives. 

Euthanasia, abortion, or the discontinuation of life-prolonging treatments are deeply complex and ethical considerations that require inner clarity. How do you come to a decision that is right? Does 'correct' even exist? We can look at these topics together. We can calmly explore how you think and what you feel about them to help create greater clarity. 

Loneliness is present at all levels of society. It is often difficult to see because it is well hidden. Shame and a sense of failure play an important role in this.

Loneliness is not our natural state of being. We are naturally connected. Firstly and foremost with ourselves, and from there extending  to the broader environment. If that core connection is no longer felt this is a clear signal that attention is needed. Loneliness tells us that another’s presence is needed, a person without judgment, without an agenda. 

Are you, or do you know someone, suffering from loneliness? Please contact me. We can discuss how we can be still together in that loneliness.  

I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you. From the togetherness, the conversations, and the silence, alternative methods and modalities may present themselves as helpful for your journey. Some possibilities are: holistic healing, shamanism, yoga, mindfulness or meditation. I am in a network rich in specialists, and I will be happy to put you in touch with an appropriate practitioner.

There is a growing interest in psychedelics, entheogens, and other means and ways to expand the mind. Often, when our view of the world broadens, it can uncover conflicting perspectives, which can lead to a sense of confusion and sometimes even psychological crisis. 

The symbolism we encounter within these experiences are often indicators that need to be interpreted. I'd love to look with you to see where they point. Therapists who specialize in integration are also very welcome to reach out. With 20 years of experience in the field, I am honoured to share my expertise.

The mountains overwhelm us with their enormous size. It is their greatness that touches us, allowing us to rest in trust for a moment. This allows us to briefly feel the peace that is present deep within all of us. 

Let's keep the mountains in our sights as we make the crossing. 

Anzan is also the name I received from Roshi Joan Halifax upon initiation as a Bodhisattva in the Prajna Mountain Buddhist Order.

Perhaps the most difficult task in life is to stay with uncertainty during intense events,  to allow the not-knowing to simply exist. To leave the question a question. Though it is natural to reach for answers so that we know what to do and how to proceed.

It is comforting if you have a steadfast ferryman with you. One who will keep the boat still for you in choppy waters. This way, in the midst of uncertain times, you still have something to hold on to. Someone willing to stay with you while you make the crossing yourself. Where to? I can't tell you that; that is the mystery of life–and also of death.