Last week I was in The Hague for coaching for one of my current customers, a Spanish Engineer Manager at his workplace. He is responsible for perfecting no fewer than 206 trains in one of the largest train fleet purchases for the Dutch Railways (NS). This is done by a Spanish company CAF that has a branch in the Netherlands: https://www.cafmobility.com/en/ [cafmobility.com].
What an impressive tour and what a challenge for him to achieve this in a multicultural team. Growing up from the profession of train engineering to a People Manager as well brings him new challenges. Some that he had not foreseen and sometimes making things difficult. That is why he sought my guidance as a business psychologist/senior coach to support him in this.
Would you like to know what I can possibly do for your team or organization? https://martinthoolen.com/en/service/expat-coaching/
© 2026: Martin Thoolen
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How often have we heard it: ‘You have to get rid of your ego! Leave it at the door!” But is that actually true? Or can you use ego as a tool to give substance to your talents and inspiration, or even unconditional love and universal consciousness? Both profiting your work and private life.Take a listen here:
https://martinthoolen.com/en/inspiratie/ and click on 'Podcasts' on the right.
During my voyages of discovery around the world, I was inspired by unexpected encounters with people and nature, which I would like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go far away to get closer. This time: ‘How waves of experiences take you further’.
Jaren geleden was ik tijdens mijn eerste sabbatical op een gegeven moment beland in Bali, Indonesië. Ik was al een paar maanden onderweg en ik probeerde een beetje uit te vogelen voor mezelf wat reizen doet en wat het je kan brengen. Kort of lang, reizen kan je werk en leven radicaal inspireren en verder brengen. Kijk maar.
What makes this long journey so different from others? I couldn't really put it into words. But after a few months of traveling in all kinds of countries, the image of a wave came to mind in Bali. Actually, we are always traveling. Whether it's a short or a longer trip, we travel for minutes, hours, sometimes weeks or months. And every journey from one day to the next, from one place to another, from one person to another...
And it felt like a new wave every time. A new wave of experiences. And just when you thought it was over, another wave of experiences would come. And just when you thought that was over, another wave of experiences would come. Unceasingly, like the sea or the ocean that keeps washing ashore. And I didn't have to think about it. It just happened naturally, spontaneously.
So I was actually overwhelmed with waves of experiences, causing the old to fade further and further into the background. My old life and work in the Netherlands at that time, the old situation there, the concerns that preoccupied me there, or rather, sometimes occupied me.
And at the same time, I was overwhelmed by so many new waves, as if the old had become a previous life. I was so washed over with new experiences that I no longer knew how to continue the old in the old way. And that was no longer possible
Scary?
Not knowing how I would pick up my life and work again when I returned to the Netherlands?
No. I trusted that the waves had washed away something old that no longer suited me. I trusted that new encounters with people and nature would give me a new vital impulse to create a fresh life and a new way of working.
It only became scary when I started to think about it. But you don't think about waves, they just happen and do their natural work.
“But with waves, you don't think, they just happen and do their natural work.”
If you follow the natural waves, they will take you further away from what was in the past, what no longer serves you, or what may have hurt you at some point. Especially if you let the waves move through you without thinking about them. Just let them ebb into the background at your own pace. Just as time heals all wounds.
And waves of experiences can take you further. Where to?
To a new, fresh way of living and working. To a deeper version of your true self that fits perfectly right now. Through new encounters with people, new insights that arise spontaneously, new experiences of nature, such as a walk in the woods or a stroll in the park. In short, new journeys, however short or long.
All these journeys and waves of experiences are part of one great soul journey here on earth. From cradle to grave, you can think of five existential tasks or desires that take you further and can make your experiences meaningful. You can find these in my book ‘Spirited Personal Leadership – for more effective work, a meaningful living, and a better world’.
So what are these five tasks or desires?
1. Gaining deeply felt experiences in order to grow into a sincere, authentic, and peaceful person
This happens when you learn from the waves of experiences and apply that learning to your new way of living or working. Otherwise, sooner or later, the cosmos will give you the same or worse experiences to learn from, until you have learned your lesson.
2. Develop your own independence and individuality
Do, say, and choose what you believe in with all your heart and soul.
3. Heal your soul pain
This allows you to leave your baggage behind and move forward more lightly.
4. Live your soul joy
Do what makes you instantly happy and gives you joy in your life and work.
5. Bring your original talents and dreams to life
This will give your work and life more meaning.
If you put the waves of experiences in your life or work at the service of these five life tasks, it will become more enjoyable, effective, lighter, and meaningful.
1. What do you want the waves of time to carry away that no longer serves you?
Think about contact with people who behave negatively; negative thoughts about others; negative thoughts about yourself; or worries about the future.
2. What do you want the waves to bring you that serves you better now?
Think about contact with people who behave positively; positive thoughts about others; positive thoughts about yourself; dreams about the future.
3. Travel more often and sometimes stay away from home a little longer.
Let yourself be surprised by the news that catches your attention or comes to you.
I wish you waves of experiences that naturally enrich your life and work.
Warm regards, Martin
#wereldinspiraties #worldinspirations #reisverhalenmartinthoolen #travelstoriesmartinthoolen #spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #firstnations #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #spiritedpersonalleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching
Martin
© 2026: Martin Thoolen
Sometimes you cannot reach a mutual agreement in business. Too much has happened, or you are suddenly faced with an unpleasant surprise.You have entered into conflict with each other.
Whether it's a dispute between board members or shareholders, employer and employee, manager and employee, or colleagues, mediation can save a lot of misery and money.
Life can be harsh and feel unfair at times. Sometimes, losing something important at work or in life can throw you off balance so completely that you don't know how to move forward. Effective loss counseling can provide valuable support, helping you to feel and see new energy, positivity, and perspectives.
Want to know how loss coaching can help you, take a look here: https://martinthoolen.com/en/service/verliescoaching/
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.
#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
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
Want to know where this comes from? See: https://martinthoolen.com/en/wat-de-regenboog-laatzien-en-het-vergeten-licht/
One that will instantly make your work more enjoyable and effective.
How? By working with spirit. Airy-fairy? No, very down-to-earth.
With insights you can immediately apply to yourself, your team, or your organization.
Just by short listening.
Discover it here: About Professional Spirituality: https://martinthoolen.com/en/podcasts/
© 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
