During my travels around the world, I find inspiration in unexpected encounters that I'd like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go (far) away to get closer. This time: "How energy places make you happier, more creative, and more effective."
Years ago, I was in Glastonbury, England, at the Glastonbury Tor and the Chalice Well Garden. By wandering around there and simply being there for a while, I left with ten times more energy in my body than before. And with a wealth of new inspiration and ideas that simply flowed to me.
We all know it, of course: some places drain energy, others give it. What makes us sometimes stay in places that drain energy and places that give it? How can things be different, so that you work and live more comfortably?
Throughout my life, I chose to visit or spontaneously encounter many places of power, including Mount Shasta in California; Sedona; and Joshua Tree Park in Arizona. The Redwoods and Sequoia forests in California, the Jungles of Mexico or Thailand, Uluru (Ayer's Rock) in Australia, the Forests of Sweden and Canada, the Milford Sound Fjords in New Zealand. And many more.
I always came back feeling much younger, so powerful it was. But you don't have to go far to find places of power and return feeling more vital. They're often just around the corner.
But the same also applies to energy-drainingareas, or even toxic or destructive places. Like the infamous Bermuda Triangle and, closer to home, sometimes the office where you work. Some workspaces are or become contaminated by ego systems or colleagues' extreme egos. Highly sensitive people notice this immediately, for example, as a tight throat, a lump in their stomach, or in some other way. But even non-sensitive people notice it eventually. The work atmosphere is unpleasant or socially unsafe, or there are too many nasty political ego games at play, or the workload is simply far too high.
Such places can literally make you sick, especially if you can't protect yourself properly. I see this in my own practice with clients who come to me with burnout. They often have to deal with negative gossip, excessive demands, or working within (compliance) protocols where the human being itself is lost sight of.
Zo had ik recentelijk een Arbo-consulente op bezoek die beloofd was met mensen te werken, maar feitelijk vooral bezig moest gaan met administratieve overheidseisen waardoor er nauwelijks echt aandacht en tijd voor de cliënt of patiënt was. De robotisering maakte dat ze zich helemaal niet gelukkig voelde in haar werk Ze liep met haar ziel onder de arm. De werkplek was toxisch voor haar geworden en ze kwam bij mij voor een nieuwe loopbaanstap. Want: “soms is het laf voor een ziel om te gaan, maar soms laf om te blijven” (citaat: Peter Delahay).
“Soms is het laf voor een ziel om te gaan, maar soms laf om te blijven” (Peter Delahay).
Here are a few reasons::
1. Avoiding discomfort or dwelling on convenience, comfort, luxury, and habits
We are creatures of habit and often don't want to give up convenience and luxury for less.
2. Attachment to your inner beliefs and identifications
Wie ben ik als ik mijn collega’s of huidige beroep of woonplek loslaat? Durf ik dat aan te gaan? Dat vraagt om veel moed en weloverwogenheid om nieuwe stappen te zetten.
3. That it seems too expensive to let go of a negative (work)place
"At least I have a good income and good employment or housing conditions that I don't want to give up just like that", is a common reason. And that's perfectly within your rights, but how far are you willing to go if it costs you your own health? The foundation from which you live and work.
It's like you're getting fresh air. Have you ever walked into a house, office, workplace, or natural setting that instantly felt good, without even thinking about it? After all, the soul is lightning-fast and knows immediately, beyond reason, whether something feels good or not. So what would it be like if you surrounded yourself with such a place more often?
“The soul is lightning-fast and knows immediately, beyond reason, whether something feels good or not”
Above all, don't use your mind! To see if the place feels good.
Use your mind to see where you can recharge more often and how you can make that happen.
1. Take more vacations to places of power: places where you instantly feel good or where you recharge after a while
2. Seek out more opportunities closer to home. Take more walks in a park or a green space. Or sit against a tree. Or spend more time in your garden or allotment. Give yourself a healthy kick in the butt.
3. Distance yourself more often from negative work environments by going outside more often during breaks or by working in a hybrid way.
4. Seek out a positive work or living environment, even if that means looking for a new job or place to live, no matter how difficult. Because any system or relationship that doesn't allow space for the soul's right to exist or express itself imprisons it and can make your body seriously ill.
"Any system or relationship that doesn't allow space for the soul's right to exist or express itself imprisons the soul and can make your body seriously ill."
Try these tips, and I predict you'll become happier, more creative, and more effective.
I wish you many vital energy spaces, Martin
© 2026: Martin Thoolen
Wanna see more valuable insights and practical tips from travel, look here.
Want to see a few places and people in this video that inspired me in just 2 minutes? Watch here.
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Anyone can fall into this trap: Thinking you are better than the other. You and I both. Especially if you’re in a leadership position in government, politics, religion, business, or if you’re a VIP, but also if you’re a manager, spiritual teacher, coach, trainer or Guru. I see it everywhere, including in myself.
Where does this come from? How do you recognize it? What are the effects, and how do you get past it? What if you have to deal with someone else who has succumbed to it? How do you deal with that? And how do you make a truly equal heart-connection that causes the world around you to become a better place, at work and in your private life?
It’s time to lift this veil of haughtiness: To allow real love and peace to flourish more. In small and large circles alike.
It is said that the civilization of Atlantis fell because of the haughtiness of a few who wanted to create ‘a world based in advanced knowledge and power.’ Haughtiness came before a fall, and today we find our world standing at the exact same threshold. From antiquity until today, people have been falling for it. As it was with the Pharaos of Egypt and Roman Emperors, it is with the government and political leaders of today. But equally so on a smaller scale with VIP’s, directors, managers, spiritual teachers, coaches and trainers of today. Inside your own circle.
Publicly, or more commonly in secret, you may see yourself as exceptional and divinely chosen. You have ‘fallen upwards,’ and your haughtiness is a hidden force that leads you, today’s Fall of Atlantis. You are unknowingly living or working from a spiritual ego, without being conscious of it.
If spiritual ego is leading you without you being aware of it, you will use your knowledge, abilities or language to demonstrate that you are ‘above the other’, or ‘more advanced’ in your spiritual development than others. Or, that you’re more significant than the other. This has nothing to do with spirit, instead it is just your ego, elevating itself above the other. Because spirit, or universal consciousness and unconditional love, knows no hierarchy.
“Spirit knows no hierarchy”
Why is it that people have been falling into this ego-trap for centuries to begin with? The desire for recognition, appreciation, inclusion, approval, being special, attention and love is universal. Sometimes, the lack of some of these things in the past has been so great that overcompensation enters the picture. Before you know it, the spiritual ego is in charge of your activities, often without your knowledge. It doesn’t make a lick of difference whether you are highly or less educated, have lots of experience or none. It can happen to anyone. It creates dictators and know-it-alls.
How do you recognize today’s Fall of Atlantis? A few concrete indicators will demonstrate.
Some people think they are the chosen few, and use this argument to place themselves above others. Roman Emperors thought themselves to be demigods. Some government leaders today are of the opinion that they have an exceptional divine gift and mission, even if that means a war must be fought over it, all the way up to so-called ‘holy wars.’
But you can also see this phenomenon occurring on a smaller scale sometimes with (spiritual) teachers, coaches and trainers. For example, I was recently baffled by what I was reading about the spiritual arrogance of some who claim: ‘my book isn’t a book, because it transcends all traditional literature.’ Another said: ‘my book is the Bible of coaching.’ And if you package it just right and use the word ‘God’ in the title of all your correspondence, you’re guaranteed commercial success. Because those in need of help are always around, especially in these times, when religions often can’t provide fulfillment in life.
For government and political leaders it is often no longer about content, justice and equality but instead it’s about the ego seeking elevation in a quest for recognition and specialness. In the Dutch cabinet, for example, the egos are boiling over and we don’t even know where to go from here. Many government leaders keep increasing their own sphere of influence and even have their powers written into laws or even the constitution. From their greater position of power they force their will onto others, and punish them if they don’t comply. Such as banning a religion that doesn’t stroke with ‘their own’ faith. Like a coaching client of mine who was beaten to a pulp by his fundamentalist evangelical father for many years. Or getting the death penalty in Iran for not properly wearing your burka. None of these things speak to real love, and they lead to a regression in society.
It certainly seems like some spiritual teachers and gurus are freed from their spiritual egos, because they preach about peace, love and truth, while they are also truly inspiring, for example at seminars, conferences, retreats, in their books and through other venues. They use phrases like ‘heart to heart,’ ‘dear angel, are you ready to experience real love; not everyone is ready to experience real love, but you are.’ Before you know it, you feel loved, special or chosen because of what they tell you. It’s spiritual honey that people flock to.
Until suddenly their shadow side, which they repressed because it doesn’t fit with their self-made image of spiritual specialness, becomes visible.
Like my personal experience at a ten-day silent retreat abroad about non-dualism. There was conversation about a field of unconditional love, loving and freedom of judgment. While this was happening, there was a loud concert nearby that was detracting from the silence. The aggravation and judgment poured from the depths of the teachers’ psyches, and the disapproving looks were easy to see all around. No-one is immune to judgments and it’s better to embrace them and deal with them effectively.
I’m ashamed a little to say it happened a moment to me, too. During one of my annual weeklong ‘Inner Nature’ retreats in the Belgian Ardennes, a participant asked to take a picture of me. In a fraction of a second, I felt flattered by her admiration and fed my ego, my spiritual ego. But fortunately a few moments later I became aware of what I just did to myself, letting myself be made ‘special.’ As if I was ‘more’ than the participant. Yuck! Luckily, I could let it go quickly. But what happens if you need this constant admiration to exist? Before you know it, this stealthy self-satisfaction takes over.
By consistently indicating that another person has less knowledge or fewer abilities than yourself, you elevate yourself above the other. I call it the seesaw-effect. Pushing the other down to end up in a higher place yourself. In that case power and not love has you in a death grip.
You can also emphasize your own successes, power, knowledge, and abilities without acknowledging your own failings and pitfalls. Better to keep those vulnerabilities locked up. Similar to a colleague who indicated that she had lived many lives, was very wise and could be more meaningful than others as an old soul.
If you’ve fallen into the Atlantis-trap, your aim is for a societally elevated leadership position. You don’t use this position or your acquired titles as a temporary vehicle to inspire others with truth, justice, equality, or sincere love. No, above all you want to use it to show your own importance to society. Sometimes you choose to sit on a literal throne above others, instead of among people, as I experienced with the authorities at a silent retreat.
The benefits of these (spiritual) ego-authorities are that they can truly inspire you. They speak truths that we are sensitive to, and that we are often looking for. They say something that you agree with but that others are afraid to mention. You feel seen by them. Or, you gain valuable insights that you can really apply in your work or private life. They make you feel like you belong or are special. That’s what makes it so confusing.
But the cons and dangers are lurking below the surface and will come to light sooner or later. If you rely too much on an external authority, you give it power as you abandon your own sovereignty. Before you know it, you no longer know which of your thoughts are your own, versus those of the authority you believe in. A leader in any context can build their own cult just like that, with some of their followers prepared to murder others or themselves for it.
See, acknowledge, and turn it around.
To see, you have to dare to put your ego aside, otherwise you’ll remain in the trap. Look at yourself with 100% honesty and see that you:
“Dare to be a VUP (Very unimportant person)”
Acknowledge that this is happening to you, and that it is entirely your own doing. Your ego will resist the whole time, in order not to lose any ground. The brave authorities and truth-finders among us will dare to take this step.
Turn around your authority from self-gratification to simply being a temporary vehicle for equality, truth of the heart, justice, and love. Without any expectation that another will appreciate and admire you.
Protect yourself against spiritual egos. Remain yourself and never give up your own thoughts and sovereignty. Don’t always accept the teacher to be what they say they are. Follow your own compass and be a follower of yourself. The development of its own independence is one of the tasks facing the soul from the cradle to the grave.
Dare to leave, even if it is socially undesirable, if you are instructed to believe something that you can’t agree with. This is something I did myself during a break at a seminar put on by an organization that saw itself as the kingpin to change the entire world and patted itself on the chest about it. While at the same time they were themselves contributing to continuing the use of fossil fuels.
As the Gnostics said long ago, “Live the God within yourself.” Because from spirit and unconditional love everyone is chosen.
"Everyone is Chosen"
In large as well as small personal circles. By living and working more from universal consciousness, love, or what I call ‘spirit’, instead of from ego. You can find out more about this in my book “Spirited Personal Leadership.” You can view and download a free promo here: https://martinthoolen.com/en/publicaties/
I wish each of us unwavering, sincere and unconditional truth and love, Martin
© 2026: Martin Thoolen
#Beterewereld #Atlantisval #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #inspirerendleiderschap #mastercoursepersoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #coaching #training #egomanagement #ego #awarenessatwork #spirtedleadership #spiritedpersonalleadership #martinthoolen
How can 2026 become hopeful? With the darkness around us that seems to be drawing ever closer, you'd almost think it's an utopia. And yet it is possible, if you start working and living more from an infinite energysource. Take a look.
Without an end, there is no beginning. Without a beginning, there is no end. There is no birth without death and no death without birth. Truly all forms come and go. It's only a matter of time.
Just think of external forms, such as buildings, houses, cars, watches. Or your parents, partner, friends, and colleagues that come and go. Your body that comes and goes. Your job, social position, or status that comes and goes. A failed project that comes and goes. A success that comes and goes.
Similar elements apply to internal forms, such as convictions you started to believe in but suddenly no longer fit or feel right for you. Such as 'I'm not good enough' or 'I am further in my development than the other person'.
But for heaven’s sake where do these forms originate? And what makes them disappear again? And what is there, or what remains, or has always been there in the background when these temporary forms disappear?
An invisible and infinite source of energy that is the Creator and Destructor of all forms.
If this is true (which I have yet to see any evidence of being false), then there is always something that remains from which the forms come and go: a permanent energysource, also called "spirit" by some. It is infinite energy and life itself, which has only nestled in temporary forms.
Just as trees lose their leaves in the fall, in the winter there are no leaves left, but life continues underground and reveals itself again in new leaves during springtime. If you follow the natural movements of this source, work and life also become much easier and brighter, despite the darkness around you.
The problem arises when you want to continue clinging onto forms that no longer serve you or no longer align with your essential growth as a soul. A job, a belief, a partner, or whatever. That's our own ego, which can make life hopeless because it doesn't go the way you wish or what's naturally expected from you.
Sometimes it's time to stop something because its natural expiration date has passed: a product or service, an organization, a business or personal relationship.
Sometimes you have to accept the loss of something you were deeply attached to, with the emotional processing required of you because you had committed your heart and soul to it.
Because, if everything comes and goes, why hold on to it? The moment you let go of old forms that no longer serve you or hinder your essential growth, embrace the pain of letting go with a deep sense of purpose (and don't choose comfort and rigid security), space is created for the new and a better form can emerge. Then life becomes hopeful, more enjoyable, and meaningful again. New energy is released that you previously held captive. Then, naturally, new forms will appear within you that fit you better as a new coat.
"If everything comes and goes, why hold on to it?"
Consider this:
Give it a try and see what it ultimately brings you.
Want to know how working from that universal energy source, or "spirit," can give you even more hope and joy? Then see here how professional spirituality can further enrich you:
I wish you a wonderful and hopeful 2026! Martin
© 2026: Martin Thoolen
#spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #spiritedpersonalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoaching #psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #egozielspirit #egosoulspirit #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen
Here we go again. The Christmas dinner is on the horizon, but how do we keep it really fun?
Odd, isn’t it? Christmas, a time of peace, but we can still argue at the dinner table – before, during and after. But things can be different, and you can help to make this difference!
You already start walking on eggshells during the preparation. After all, you start thinking:
These mindsets, which you cling to and can last for years, come from somewhere. They are ego roles and family roles that you have known in yourself and each other for a very long time. And sometimes they have been reinforced over the years.
However, it is precisely these familiar old mind-sets that ensure that we are more likely to start a war than cultivate peace at the Christmas dinner table. Sometimes simply in in our thoughts about each otherbut sometimes also in words and gestures.. A self-fulfilling prophecy to which you contribute by continuing to think in that way. Pity, because things can be done differently. And you play the leading role in this. Contributing to peace on earth, right where you are. Take a look.
Look at your own mindsets and simply ask yourself the question: ‘Is that so?’
Like: ‘I have known him/her my entire life.’ Is that so? No, of course not, because you don’t see them every single second. You simply don’t know what someone else says, does or shares in another way, without your involvement. You have always only seen a part of your father, mother, brother, sister or child.
However, experiences in families quickly lead us to stick ego labels on each other, such as them always being difficult, egoistic, antisocial, cynical, insolent, rude, etc. And there were undoubtedly reasons for this. But do you want to stay in the same place? A place of conflict? And can you see and approach the other part of your family?
Let go of that place for a while at Christmas. Try approaching your brother, sister, father, mother or child from a new place with a fresh, new mindset and try the following 10 tips below. And don’t make any prejudgements.
Try these tips and I predict that you will feel much happier during the Christmas season.
Would you like to learn other ways, big or small, to contribute to a better world?
At home or at work? Take a look at this Christmas present – the book ‘Personally Inspiring Leadership.’ For more effective work, a meaningful life and a better world. View or order a copy here:
I wish you a truly Merry Christmas! Martin
©2025: Martin Thoolen
#spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoaching#psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #egozielspirit #egosoulspirit #vrede #peace #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen
It seems unlikely when you look around today. Actually, not just today, but any time in the last five millennia. However, I am still a dreamer who believes it certainly is possible, which gives life meaning.
Especially if we don’t wait for others but take independent action. Not waiting for a redeemer but becoming our own redeemer. Everyone in their own world. With your colleagues, suppliers, and customers, but also with your neighbors, fellow road users, fellow citizens, and fellow human beings. With everyone around you. Here are a few pointers:
A worldwide divergence is currently taking place. One that is inevitable and necessary. Two environments are being created. By those who choose ego, and those who choose (self)consciousness/spirit. These are two incompatible paths that were predicted long ago and are clearly illustrated on the Hopi stone that I visited with a Navajo-guide in Arizona, the USA, in 2018.
Ego-focused environments, societies and organisations are typified by preferential treatment of some groups at the expense of others. Rich over poor, men above women, white above non-white, non-native above native, etc.
Countries can even be in the grip of an extreme collective ego guided by their ego-driven leaders. They are typified by one of the eight ego-coup roles into which you can fall and remain one of which is the ruler, as I discuss in my book on Spirited Personal Leadership.
In this case, a leader cares for his people, according to a ‘personal diktat.’ He does whatever it takes to be on top, because then he will have more power and influence. They put themselves above others, who must obey their will in order to meet their needs. To achieve this, they use a wide range of power resources, not just the aforementioned position of power. But strong powers of persuasion (which is sometimes expressed as literally screaming at ‘your people’), charisma, strategic traits (including lying) expertise or knowledge, income or status or networks can also be employed to impose their will on others.
If the people ‘under them’ are not obedient, they condemn them and try to get rid of them. The driving force is the fear that they, or their group, will be inadequate or enjoy less prestige. They consistently communicate this fear by means of threats issued to those who think differently. By intimidation. For instance, when the chairman of the board gives you hell, while it is not you but several incumbent administrators who are incompetent. Or threatening using displays of power – from threats of dismissal to military parades with nuclear missiles.
You make your allies dependent by giving preferential treatment and other privileges. For example, in the Corona policy that was enforced by a great many countries all over the world we saw preferred groups, and others who were free to kick the bucket. Vaccines first went to the rich, and then the poor.
If the ego of a leader or government wants to dominate even more, you expand your territory of personal authorities and have them – if possible – laid down in statutory provisions, sometimes even in the constitution. This enables you to accrue even more power. Just take a look at some of our current dictatorial government leaders. And it doesn’t stop there, because ideally they expand their territory in the literal sense and rob other people of their land in order to serve themselves and their preferential group. At the expense of others.
These more spiritually underdeveloped (ego-focussed)societies, governments and organisations spread fear, exercise power and commit manipulation or even torture, genocide, systematic indoctrination, concealment and distortion of information or provide one-sided information despite, or sometimes because of, the precepts of their religion.
But things can be different if ‘Spiried Leaders’ rule the world.
More spiritually developed societies are typified by a number of characteristics, including a genuine and effective democracy in which all voices are actually heard. With no secrets and hidden agendas, but complete transparency. Where equal rights, such as equal pay for men and women, apply to everyone. Where all groups and countries coexist peacefully, living and working with each other. Where there is enough water, food and housing for everyone and starvation is banned. Where we respect the foundation of our existence, the earth, in everything we do. An utopia?
Current development of the world In any case, right now the world is suffering a collective ego regression led by ego or ego-disturbed leaders who feed low ego societies. Current economic and political interests prevail above human dignity and equality. Even the United Nations, which should promote a peaceful world and care for everyone, displays a number of fundamental shortcomings. Injustice has even been given a seat at the UN. Just look at the UN human rights council, which refused to debate on the report on human rights violations in China. A report that had previously been concealed despite the proven use of systematic torture, detention and brainwashing amongst the Muslim Uyghur minority.
Every country that voted no or abstained contributes to this universal injustice. They lack the guts to choose universal justice. And this is simply due to the fear of sacrificing too much political, economic and personal capital, status and privilege. Consequently, fear and power are the dominant factors, not love of your fellow human beings. Qatar’s no vote, based on economic interests, clearly highlighted its own human rights abuses. But ok, football entertainment trumps everything. We most likely have enjoyed watching that World Cup. For the record, I am a massive football fan and I used to play my self in clubs, but this just isn’t right.
And injustice is ubiquitous. In my own country too. No different to other countries. The leadership in recent years has allowed the rich (mostly men) to get richer and the poor to get poorer, so now even food banks can no longer cope, on top of the immense growth of policy implemented on the basis of lies and egoism.
And as I already mentioned, some governments and leaders deliberately utilise control to impose a regime where torture, systematic murder and indoctrination are portrayed as normal and responsible. Sometimes even in the name of God, Allah or whoever. Because this gives you licence to do whatever you want. But what if your own child, father or mother is the one having their human rights contravened? What if the situation is reversed and you or your partner or relative are indoctrinated, tortured or killed? Tell me, what is the difference? A great deal from the ego, and nothing from the spirit. Because then we are all equal. All people with the same wishes, fears, pains and desires. There is no difference because at our core we are all equal.
“At our core we are all equal”
What injustice have you experienced? How did it feel? What if you were also let down by your own government or the UN? Or even tortured or killed? This is not how we’ll make a better world.
Fortunately, there is also a natural development underway. New generations are increasingly intolerant of these unjust ego societies. Look at Iran. Patience is running thin with the reign of terror imposed by patriarchal white-man-power (fed by a distorted use of religion). It is just a matter of time. The fresh spirit-awareness of younger generations no longer accepts it, and the revolt is growing of its own accord. Simply because people’s hearts can no longer bear it.
It is also time for beloved leaders to cultivate a better world, as you can read in another article: https://martinthoolen.com/en/openstaande-vacatures-voor-de-wereldde-geliefde-leider/
Besides new leaders and the natural development of ego resistance, you can also make a personal contribution to a better world. You don’t have to wait for others. Dare to choose. Dare to be a dissident in your ego environments. Choose for or create a better world around you, however hard it may be. Are you aware of your own ego, soul and how (self)consciousness/spirit can enrich you? See yourself with new eyes and approach everyone around you in a truthful, sincere and peaceful way, even when you do not agree. Look at how you treat your family, neighbours, customers, team-members, board-members, shareholders, employees at work yourself. Thus creating a better world around you daily. In the book ‘Spirited Personal Leadership’ you’ll find insights and tools as how to do that: https://www.amazon.com/Spirited-Personal-Leadership-effective-meaningful/dp/9090368027/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1T35YC0885VAQ&keywords=spirited+personal+leadership&qid=1689054493&sprefix=spirited+personal+leadershipaps225&sr=8-1
Or would you like to personally receive and experience the tools for a better world? Maybe some of these services may support you: https://martinthoolen.com/en/service/.
Furthermore, it can also fundamentally promote a more effective, balanced, sustainable and dynamic working life and add meaning to your personal life.
A better world. Is that possible? Yes! If this all happens more there really could be a burgeoning paradise on earth in just a few decades. You can go for that instead of complaining and feeling victimised by a world you can’t stand.
The choice is yours. Every year, every month, week or day and every minute.
#spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoaching#psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #egozielspirit #egosoulspirit #vrede #peace #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen
© 2025: Martin Thoolen
During my travels around the world, I found inspiration from unexpected encounters that I'd like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go (far) away to get closer. This time: ' A better world by being a temporary astronaut’.
Years ago, I was at the WOMAD festival in Malmesbury, UK, where the album Big Blue Ball featuring artist Peter Gabriel was being presented. The idea behind it is that we see the Earth as a big blue ball when we look at it from a distance. Just like astronauts see and experience it. Because when you step back, you become aware of what you didn't see before. For many of them, it's an unforgettable life experience that makes a deep impression and brings them back with a new awareness to live and work differently. Just look.
Do you know that feeling? Imagine traveling for a while to a different place, country, and culture. Suddenly, you see that people there do things 'differently' than 'at home'. Like I once experienced in Sweden, where people waited patiently for each other in the queue at a gas station. Or in England, where people give each other right-of-way instead of taking the right-of-way. That's different from what I'd become accustomed to in the busy Netherlands, where many people push and shove to avoid losing a second.
That distance made me more aware of the urgent behavior I no longer wanted to engage in upon returning to the Netherlands. This shows how travel and distance can expand your consciousness, help you learn differently, and transform your life or work, both small and large. So, traveling offers a different, natural way of learning.
"When you distance yourself, you become aware of what you didn't see before."
But what would happen if you zoomed out even further from the place o what you often call home? And then very far away? Imagine yourself as an astronaut for a moment and saw the Earth from a distance. Like William Shatner (Captain Kirk from Start Trek) did after he had made a real, short space flight. It deeply touched his heart and soul, bringing him to tears, as he "felt" the pain we inflict on the Earth, and indeed, on ourselves. The pain felt intensifies the desire to change from within.
To this day, he still says about it, deeply moved: "What a beautiful blue/green planet we all live on; I see no boundaries; the Earth and we are so incredibly vulnerable with such a thin layer of atmosphere and limited nutrients."
William was so deeply moved by the boundless consciousness that upon returning to Earth, he wanted to do much more for the healthy development of the Earth, not least for ourselves as human beings.
"The pain he felt strengthens the desire to change from within."
On Earth, we are all 'allowed' to live, where we are only temporary guests. How do we behave as guests? How do you do that when you visit someone for real? Why not do the same on Earth: with respect?
Many other astronauts share similar, lived insights. One of them is the fact that from above, there are no borders visible on Earth, only nature. They also wonder why we humans argue and wage war so much when there's enough for everyone. Universal rights are awakened by these distances. While some are more committed to a healthy Earth, others want to contribute to equal rights. This global awareness (also called "spirit" in my books) is also seen in leaders and organizations, who are focusing more on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and making them increasingly part of their policies or even their missions. What would happen if leaders were astronauts for a while?
And what would happen if "you yourself," like an astronaut, zoomed out and returned to Earth anew? What would you do differently that would contribute to a better world, no matter how small?
"Zoom out to zoom in new again"
Thank you for zooming out with me for a moment, hopefully zooming in again. And thus contributing even more to a better world.
Martin
© 2025: Martin Thoolen
#wereldinspiraties #worldinspirations #reisverhalenmartinthoolen #travelstoriesmartinthoolen #spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #firstnations #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoaching #psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #egozielspirit #egosoulspirit #healer #healing #shaman #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen
During my travels around the world, I found inspiration in unexpected encounters that I'd like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go (far) away to get closer. This time: "Our precious."
Years ago, I was on the film set of "The Shire," the home of the beloved Hobbits from "Hobbit & Lord of the Rings." On the North Island in Matamata, New Zealand. In my hands, I held the great ring used in the film "Lord of the Rings." Gollum's words inevitably came to mind: "My precious."
En toen realiseerde ik me ineens dat deze woorden ook de ‘huidige’ bron van veel kwaad is, wat we kunnen veranderen. Namelijk als we gaan denken en handelen in termen van ‘our precious’. Kijk maar:
The entire Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy is a mythical reflection of what's happening in the world today, both small and large. The ring symbolizes, among other things, a tool of power with which you can control many others, if not all. This includes sowing fear, creating dependency, intimidation, increasing one's own power, greed, arguing or waging war to get what one needs, and ego domination. Something we experience a lot these days.
The pursuit of these symbols, such as gaining a position of power, tightening the rules or laws, or the absolute need to have something for ourselves, is not foreign to us as humans. We see it in many of our leaders, but if we're honest, sometimes in ourselves as individuals as well. Even as children. This need to have something for yourself, just like the ring, can sometimes be so strong that we're literally or figuratively willing to walk over dead bodies. We are then completely trapped in the ego trap
Greed infects our minds and sometimes drives us to make choices and behave in ways that are detrimental or even destructive to others.
But what would happen if we were to create a ring for all of us, melted down, and distributed among all people? Just as the world's stored gold were distributed, so that everyone in the world would have sufficient food, drink, and shelter? Then leaders would use their power much more for the benefit of all people. Then politicians would truly be representatives of the people. Then leaders in organizations would delegate their power to others much more, including increasing authorizations and powers to their employees. Then sharing and granting would play a more important role in your choices and behavior. In short, then 'my precious' would become 'our precious'.
Here are three short suggestions for transforming "my precious" into "our precious."
By doing this, you are instantly contributing to a better world, where ego not prevails, but true spirit i.e. where more people ,than just you, will be happy; "our precious fellow human beings."
I wish you a wonderful adventure in making the ring serve us all.
Martin
© 2025: Martin Thoolen
Want to see other short discovery stories? Check out: https://martinthoolen.com/en/blogs-en-artikelen/?_categorie_knops=wereldinspiraties&_categorie_knoppen=wereldinspiraties
Here’s a short impression of some of my journeys of discover https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca58VpEoy_Y
#wereldinspiraties #worldinspirations #reisverhalenmartinthoolen #travelstoriesmartinthoolen #spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #firstnations #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoaching #psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #egozielspirit #egosoulspirit #healer #healing #shaman #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen
Spirituality. What is it, and how can you apply it in your work? Is it as untethered as it seems? Or is there such a thing as down-to-earth spirituality, and does it also apply to the business world, government, and more? And how does spirituality make your work more meaningful, enjoyable, and effective? Here are some answers.
The idea that spirituality plays no role in business, government, or elsewhere in the working world is, of course, nonsense. Paul de Blot, a former endowed professor at Nijenrode University and whom I spoke with there, was already publicizing about it in the 1990s. He developed "Business Spirituality," which he taught and wrote inspiring articles about. But what exactly is spirituality, and how can you apply it in your work? For yourself, your team, or your organization
There are various definitions of spirituality, but they often have the following in common:
Spirituality can also lead people to a state of being untethered or elevated, either individually or as a group. This is especially evident when the 'spiritual ego' plays a major role. People then cling (openly or secretly) to the following belief: I am, or we are as a group, further along, better, higher, more spiritual, or more enlightened in my/our development than you. This is the source of many arguments, conflicts, and historical wars. This is especially true when others are also required to submit to a fixed spiritual form, or it is preached that this form is the only worthy way of living and working.
But what if you use spirituality daily to create a better world within and around you, even at work? Close to home, with your own clients, colleagues, and all other stakeholders. And you use your own body, soul, and a managed ego as vehicles to give spirituality concrete form? That's possible. When this happens spirituality becomes not just a way of life, but also a way of working: professional spirituality.
Truly lived spirituality occurs when you work and live from spirit: also called Universal Consciousness, the Divine, the Source, Oneness. After years of international travel and research into various religions and (indigenous) cultures, there are several common characteristics that apply to working and living from spirit. You can find these in detail in the book: Spirited Personal Leadership – for more effective work, a meaningful life, and a better world: https://martinthoolen.com/en/publicaties/
The following isn't an exhaustive list, but rather a number of pointers you can use daily: individually at work, in your team, or in your organization:
• Neutral Working: Your interactions with others are judgment-free.
• Healthy Balance: For work/relaxation, among other things.
• Transparency: There are no secrets or hidden agendas; honesty and truth are guiding principles, and you articulate the "undercurrent."
• Equality: You present yourself as equal to others, without any indication of superiority or inferiority.
• Intuition: Like a compass, you get straight to the heart of the matter.
• Here and Now: You work more often from the here and now rather than from the past or future.
• Emphasize Similarities: You emphasize similarities with others that strengthen the connection.
• Heart: You act with heart for yourself and heart for others.
• Self-Awareness: You bring your managed ego and soul to your work in a conscious way in service of spirit.
When you make better use of the above guidelines in your daily work and during major transitions, your work becomes more enjoyable, meaningful, and effective.Both for you as a professional and for your team or organization. How? You'll see below.
Spirit transcends ego and self-interest. So one way to allow spirit to gain more ground is to ask yourself: "What am I working for? What am I contributing to?" When you want to contribute to something that benefits us all, the common good, more spirit will naturally flow into your work. This can become a reason to review your role or job, or eventually choose something else in your career development.
"Spirit transcends ego and self-interest"
Another way of working ‘in service of spirit’ is to always approach your colleagues and other stakeholders from the heart, meaning: simply with kindness, gentleness, respect, and forgiveness, even if you disagree with them or they don't meet your expectations.
A third way is to respectfully and curiously raise pain points that others sweep under the rug. For example, in meetings where everyone tends to nod their heads in agreement, while pain points are not sufficiently addressed.
A fourth way is to treat everyone equally, regardless of cultural background, gender, race, hierarchical position, status, or anything else. Total inclusion also characterizes spirit, because spirit excludes nothing. You approach every employer/employee or stakeholder as a respectful individual who possesses their own knowledge, experience, and talents.
"Spirit excludes nothing"
There are countless more examples, but try these out. I predict that the content of your work or collaboration with others will take flight, with all the enjoyment and effectiveness that entails.
Why does a less capable football team sometimes beat a better team? Through greater team spirit; 1 + 1 = 3. When team members intrinsically want to achieve a result together, a much greater force is unleashed: team spirit.
A current client of mine explained how he previously led his team. Not from intimidation, micromanagement, verbal punishment, or keeping his people down, because this is something he often experienced himself in the travel industry he works for.
In short, not from ego, but from spirit: empowerment, positively reinforcing and encouraging one's own independence and talent development; granting increasing authority and authorization; verbalizing and respectfully resolving underlying irritations; continuing to engage in inquisitive dialogue with his team; and reward and celebrate a shared achievements. The result was that this team achieved a 150% increase in revenue within two quarters.
Organizational spirit manifests itself, among other things, when an organization contributes to a better world through its vision and mission. But what is better and what is meaningful? This depends partly on the perspective you take: from a collective ego, soul, or spirit.
From an ego perspective, a commercial company might think that they provide their customers with what they think the customers need; for example, quickly produced and delivered non-perishable food; consumer goods, affordable clothing, etc. From a soul perspective, as a company, you then fully support the vision you want to realize.
However, from a spirit perspective, it is meaningful to contribute to a better world for the people in your own organization and the products or services you provide to your customers. This could mean, for example, not offering preferential treatment in terms of compensation and bonuses to any of your employees. It could mean ensuring everyone shares equally in the company's profits. As a company, you might invest in SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and actively implement and act on these policies. Or it could be, for example, that the vision and mission of your company evolve in such a way that you contribute to a healthy and happy world for ‘all the people’ around you, or even around the world.
The leadership of organizational leaders plays a fundamental role in this.
One way of leading your organization is to behave and make choices mainly based on ego, particularly the patriarchal side of the ego. Let me explain how you can recognize this:
For example, Recently I was mentoring a healthcare professor for a year who, due to (in his view, unfair) decisions, fell into the Patriarch' trap. His inner irritation caused him to unconsciously invoke his position of power as a director. This led to significantly less support in interactions with colleagues and the Supervisory Board. There was less joy and less effectiveness within the organization, partly due to some of his actions. Also, because in conversations with others, he was more likely to transmit than to listen. Until he saw how he could provide more spirit-driven leadership. A foundation of equality; enduring kindness; openness and neutrality.
He began encouraging people to come up with their own creative ideas and to incorporate those ideas into his final decisions for the organization. His suborinates felt seen and sometimes felt they "wanted" to do extra work instead of "having to." Unspoken irritations and pain points within the organization were articulated and resolved. There was more laughter together. Spirit-driven leadership led to optimal collaboration with his stakeholders.
Try the guideposts of 'spirit' and see what they bring you. And see if they actually make your work more meaningful, enjoyable, and effective. Then spirituality will have gained a foothold in what truly matters.
'Keep up the spirit!' Martin
© 2025: Martin Thoolen
#spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoaching#psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #egozielspirit #egosoulspirit #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen
This recent drawing comes from one of my current clients: an IT specialist in healthcare. It perfectly depicts the transformation process she's going through. From a primal scream, she's leaving old patterns behind, towards liberation of the soul. On the path to sustainable reintegration because she's addressing not only her behavior, but also the roots of it. Here's how.
You can only achieve "sustainable reintegration" if you address the "roots" of your behavior and transform from within, like caterpillars do into butterflies. Psychological behavior change, handy tips, tricks, or methods alone won't get you there. After years of providing numerous stress and time management training courses, I often saw a revolving door effect: people relapse into stress or burnout for a second or even a third time. At least, if you don't also address the roots of their behavior, their inner self. But what is that inner self, and how do you approach it? "You can only achieve sustainable reintegration if you address the roots of your behavior."
“You can only achieve sustainable reintegration if you address the roots of your behavior.”
Dat is je ego en je ziel wat concreet uiteengezet wordt in het model met de gelijknamige boektitel 'Spirited Personal Leadership Fundamentele bewustwording hiervan (werken en leven vanuit spirit) en intentionele zielsbesluiten geven nieuwe duurzame oplossingen.
© 2025: Model Spirited Personal Leadership
A simple way to view your ego is like a bus driven by a number of primary ego passengers. Depending on which passenger is at the wheel, you think differently, feel differently, behave differently and choose differently.
In my client's case, this was primarily the caring and responsible mother. A role she had to assume when her mother died young, her father abandoned her in her youth, and she took on the role of caring for her younger brother. She always thought that was just how she was. Or… had become?
Afterward, she primarily had relationships with boyfriends/men who took advantage of her and remained stuck in the dependent and irresponsible child role. This manifested itself in situations like when he, against the agreement, said: "Would you mind taking care of our baby tonight, because I just want to go out with my friends?"
Once again, as so often happened, she sidelined herself. The pent-up discontent about this, or the soul pain that silently generated sadness and anger, she could scream out from within. As in the drawing.
At work, this mothering role caused her to take on far too many responsibilities, leading her to burnout.
During the sessions, she made a soul-searching decision to say goodbye to her current boyfriend, who also often proved emotionally absent and often fled, just like her father. In addition, she has become much more aware of taking care as mother for her self instead of others only: her own desires, her her own own needs, her her own own boundaries. Grounded in this newfound and felt awareness, she now makes new fundamental choices, such as avoiding people who drain her energy or minimizing contact; choosing more time for rest and relaxation, including walking, getting massages, and drawing.
The relief is increasingly noticeable in the sessions with her, and her new relaxed and contented face is becoming more visible, as in the drawing.
© 2025: Martin Thoolen
#wereldinspiraties #worldinspirations #reisverhalenmartinthoolen #travelstoriesmartinthoolen #spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #firstnations #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoaching #psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #egozielspirit #egosoulspirit #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen
During my travels around the world, I found inspiration from unexpected encounters that I'd like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go (far) away to get closer. This time: ‘The Famous Healer from Ubud'.
Sometimes we're simply looking for direction, confirmation, or support. Me too. Then we might turn to an astrologer, psychic, reader, or healer. Or to a spiritual guide from your religion. Sometimes we're simply looking for direction, confirmation, or support. Me too. Then we might turn to an astrologer, psychic, reader, or healer. Or to a spiritual guide from your religion.
Do you remember that book and that movie: ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ by Elisabeth Gilbert, adapted into a film starring Julia Roberts? In it, the main character visits a "Balean," a spiritual healer in Ubud, Indonesia, named Cokorda Rai. So I thought, "I want to go there too." No sooner said than done.
I surrendered to what he called a Kitra Healing. He screened my head several times, pulled painfully on my ears a few times, and hit them incredibly hard, then said, "You have nothing. What can I do for you?"
A dialogue ensued where he asked me what kind of job I did, and I replied: "(spiritual) empowerment." He responded with a warm smile and said, "Oh, so you're also a healer. Mmm, you are a gentle man. You've come to bring peace to the world. There's a wall between you, but you move through it. You embrace the world and bring Light and peace to the world, which is good."
‘What are you supposed to do with these words?’ I immediately wondered. ‘How seriously should I take this? Maybe none of it is true.’ But strangely enough, it supported me to continue with my life's dream: to make my own contribution to a better world, however small or large. Years later, I managed to materialize my contribution in, among other things, my second book: ‘Spirited Personal Leadership, for more effective work, a meaningful life, and a better world." With thanks to Cokorda Rai 🙏.
Over the past decades, I've made several trips to healers, shamans, chiefs, gurus, and mediums who shared their perspectives on my life and work. And quite a lot of it was bullshit. Therefore, never outsource your own authority and individuality to others or blindly follow their advice. Remain critical and walk away if it no longer feels right.
But in every area, including here, you have qualitatively sharp and valuable guides. For me, an important criterion is whether it touches on the truth and as long as it supports me in realizing my life's dream. In that case, there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, it's extremely stimulating.
So why not, with a critical eye, occasionally open yourself up to good guides who inspire you?
I hope it leads to positive, original and talented choices in your life and work.
Martin
Want to see other short discovery stories? Check out: https://martinthoolen.com/en/blogs-en-artikelen/?_categorie_knops=wereldinspiraties&_categorie_knoppen=wereldinspiraties
Here’s a short impression of some of my journeys of discovery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca58VpEoy_Y
© 2025: Martin Thoolen
#wereldinspiraties #worldinspirations #reisverhalenmartinthoolen #travelstoriesmartinthoolen #spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #firstnations #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching
