Letter from Daniel: New Foundations

Welcome to my new Substack and email list.

I’m excited to begin offering my writing, videos, and ideas to the world in a more organized way, and I hope this will form a stronger foundation for my work going forward. (I owe a big thanks to my partner for this inspiration.)

I hope you enjoy the personal update — much more to come soon!

1. The Quicksand of Personal Growth

For the past year or two, I’ve been stuck in quicksand, so to speak.

Personally, I have been growing in leaps and bounds. But because this personal growth has been so rapid and intense, as soon as I’m ready to offer what I’ve learned to the world, I’m already moving on to a deeper stage of healing.

The faster I move in my personal growth, the less traction I can get in my professional work.

I’ve been trying to build on shifting sands.

This long period of growth seems to be stabilizing. It’s becoming clear to me that what I have to offer the world is a naturalistic path to spiritual awakening: the fundamental realization of non-duality. That there is no distinction between us and the cosmos—the ground of Being.

I find myself identifying with Alan Watts, Jack Kornfield, Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle, and other Western spiritual teachers who aim to bring the core teachings of mystical or enlightenment traditions into the 21st century.

I’ve come to believe any spiritual growth (the transcendence of ego) must take place alongside psychological growth (a whole and healthy ego). And I’ve come to believe that the master key for both spiritual and psychological growth is love. Love of others and love of self (and the understanding that these two are one and the same.)

Finally, I have a better grasp on what I have to offer the world. And as a result, I feel I can start offering my writing and teachings with greater assurance the ground is solid beneath me. The foundations are setting.

2. Beyond New Age. Beyond Buddhism.

If you can’t find a home with the New Age, if auras and astrology make you uncomfortable, if you find wisdom in Buddhism but don’t plan to put on orange robes, if you’d like a place of deep and honest exploration of spirituality and psychology, this may be the place for you.

My aim is to attract and build a community of individuals who are ready to do the hard yet sweet work of personal healing in order to become channels through which love can flow into this world.

3. What you can expect:

I will post a piece of writing at least once each week, accompanied by at least one YouTube video.

On the first and third Tuesday of the month, you can expect a “Letter from Daniel” about my personal journey, along with upcoming events, talks, and seminars.

As of right now, there will be no difference between the free and paid subscriptions to this Substack. Though I may include added benefits for subscribers soon!

That said, if you would like to support and encourage me and my work, please sign up for a paid subscription.