In this heartfelt post, I reflect on a powerful teaching I received during my time at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery: “Love is wanting someone to be happy.” This simple definition has shaped the way I understand love, connection, and fulfillment. I explore how true happiness often comes through attunement—offering genuine, present attention to others and ourselves. By weaving in the tools of shadow work, I share how we can move closer to authentic self-love and invite readers to consider retreating with me this year as a way to return to what matters most.

We all face big decisions—whether to stay the course or make a bold change. In this post, Mark explores how shadow work can open up the inner space to sit with life's biggest questions. You’ll learn why logic alone won’t get you there, how unconscious patterns and external pressures shape our choices, and why stepping away—on retreat or into reflection—might be exactly what’s needed to rediscover your next “right” step.

In this insightful post, Mark Pirtle explores the crucial role of making and keeping agreements in both personal and professional relationships. Drawing from the experiences of a client, he introduces the "Six Stages of Oversight," a model illustrating the progression of employee empowerment and responsibility. This model not only applies to business but also reflects the foundations of trust and accountability necessary for thriving relationships. Mark discusses how shadow work can help individuals understand and overcome the subconscious barriers that prevent them from keeping their commitments. He invites readers to join him for a Plant Medicine Retreat in May, where they can explore their relationship dynamics and learn to apply these insights for significant personal growth and relational success.

In this heartfelt blog post, Mark shares the emotional experience of saying goodbye to his beloved cat Ramses, who succumbed to cancer. Through his story, Mark explores the themes of love, loss, and the preciousness of moments shared with our loved ones. He reflects on the lessons learned from Ramses about caring deeply and the significance of cherishing every moment. This narrative serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of holding onto the love and memories we create with those who touch our lives.

In "Skillful Awareness for Anger (and other emotions)," Mark shares his personal challenges with anger stemming from childhood trauma and outlines how he has transformed his approach to emotional regulation. The newsletter delves into the integration of Buddhist mindfulness, Integral perspective-taking, and Shadow Work to form what Mark calls Skillful Awareness. This method helps observe reactions without attachment, allowing for wiser responses to life's triggers. Mark invites readers to explore these techniques further through upcoming retreats, offering a pathway to break free from reactive habits and embrace a more intentional way of living.

As we end 2024, Mark expresses gratitude for this community’s shared journey of mindfulness and growth. The holidays offer moments to cherish and opportunities for reflection. Take time to pause, breathe, and set intentions for the New Year. If you want to deepen your growth, join the 2025 "Change Your Story, Change Your Life" retreat series.

The tragic story of Brian Thompson and the disturbing reactions it sparked highlight the need for shadow work. Shadow work uncovers the unconscious values and biases driving our actions and helps us align with a vision of equity and sustainability. To change broken systems, we must first evolve within ourselves, choosing mindfulness, compassion, and personal transformation over violence and blame.

Holiday gatherings can be emotionally charged, especially when differing political perspectives clash. Shadow work helps us recognize the unconscious fears, judgments, and needs driving our reactions, empowering us to respond skillfully instead of defensively. This holiday season, take a breath, pause, and discover what your emotions are teaching you about yourself.

Thanksgiving can bring up old stories and emotional triggers, but it’s also a chance to practice mindfulness and patience. Shadow work encourages attunement to yourself and others, especially in uncomfortable moments. Use family dynamics as opportunities for self-reflection, wakefulness, and gratitude for your personal growth and the family that shaped you.

Most suffering stems from the unchecked stories our minds create. Shadow work and meditation reveal these subconscious narratives, allowing us to question their validity and release their hold on us. By shifting our perspective and embracing self-awareness, we can transform fear, anger, and impatience into clarity and contentment.

A restless night became a powerful lesson in mindfulness and shadow work. By observing emotions and thoughts without attaching to their stories, Mark found peace and clarity despite the lack of sleep. Discover how skillful awareness can help you navigate discomfort, integrate your shadow, and cultivate inner contentment.

Shadow work shines a light on our unconscious patterns, helping us grow through self-awareness and reflection. This week, explore your own shadow using a simple mindfulness practice to notice your habitual energies—Push, Pull, Stop, or Neutral. Learn how understanding your Shadow Self can lead to profound transformation.

Mark shares a personal and poignant story about his cat Ramses, whose untreated minor injury escalated into a severe issue requiring amputation. This cautionary tale highlights the importance of addressing small problems—whether in health, relationships, or personal growth—before they spiral out of control. Mark invites readers to reflect on their own lives and take proactive steps toward resolution, offering a space for shared stories and support.

In this reflective essay, Mark shares insights from a coaching session with a client who excels in golf, business, and mentorship. A fable comparing the journeys of a monk, a golfer, and an entrepreneur highlights shared principles of mastery: motivation, intention, awareness, and focus. Mark extends an invitation to his upcoming plant medicine retreat for those ready to align personal and professional growth with mindfulness and self-discovery.

In this heartfelt essay, Mark explores the universal resistance to hard tasks and shares the secret to overcoming it: embracing challenges willingly. Reflecting on experiences with clients and his daughter, Mark explains how dropping resistance and saying "yes" to responsibilities can lead to immediate happiness and long-term growth. He invites readers to share their experiences and consider joining his November plant medicine retreat for deeper self-discovery.

Mark shares his personal journey from material-driven success and devastating collapse to inner healing and growth through shadow work and mindfulness. After losing his business and health due to unresolved traumas, Mark found transformation at a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. Today, he offers guidance to those seeking meaning and healing in the face of life’s challenges, inviting readers to explore shadow work and mindfulness as pathways to resilience.

In The Spiritual Life: Choosing the Path Less Traveled, Mark reflects on the universal longing for deeper meaning and spiritual connection, transcending material success. By exploring shadow work and inner transformation, Mark invites readers to embark on a spiritual journey, offering guidance through coaching and his November 21-24 plant medicine retreat as a catalyst for profound personal growth and alignment with authentic intentions.

This post explores emerging scientific evidence supporting the role of psychedelics in promoting health behavior change. Mark shares resources for those interested in transformative plant medicine journeys and invites readers to explore the connection between psychedelics, healing, and self-growth.

Discover the profound connection between lucid dreaming and plant medicine journeys. Through a vivid personal story, Mark shares how both practices allow access to the subconscious mind, unlocking insights and healing potential. Learn how facing shadow conflicts in dreams mirrors the transformational power of plant medicine retreats, helping participants release emotional burdens and reclaim their sense of strength and clarity.

Last week, I guided five courageous participants through "Trauma School," the second retreat in the transformative year-long series, Change Your Story, Change Your Life. This retreat focused on resolving trauma in the present moment, a cornerstone of lasting emotional healing. Modeled after my PBS documentary, Is Your Story Making You Sick?, the series continues with "Our Shadow Selves" in November and concludes with "Our Many Perspectives" in March 2025. Applications for the 2025 series are now open—reach out to learn more about this life-changing journey!