WELLNESS ARTIST

Allan Vonkeman : The Coaching Circle

ALLAN VONKEMAN IS A SPIRITUAL seeker with feet planted firmly on the earth. With 40 years of experience working in policing, critical incident management, community engagement, not-for-profit leadership, and investigations, his experience has given him the ability to stand in the chaos seeing the larger picture, asking the right question to discover the way forward.

“I always felt like a spiritual seeker, yearning for connection with the Creation and with other people. This tendency to connect didn’t stop me from falling asleep to my true nature, damming up my emotions while attempting to become part of something ‘bigger’, and losing the ability to inhabit myself, failing to develop a strong sense of my own identity,” Allan says. “At a very young age, I became the ‘good Christian boy’ but essentially I was living in a state of false spiritual attainment. As an adult, I merged with the police force believing that the ideals it held high were my own.”

Allan ignored the more disturbing aspects of life, trying to seek some degree of peace, comfort and belong- ing. In pursuing this level of connection while ignoring reality, he became disillusioned and resentful and was saying yes to things he really wanted to say no to. Then questions began to arise: “Is there only one way to God?”; “Is justice really fair and available to all?” Allan went through life trying to be of service, to create peace while wearing a suit of armour to protect himself against the world. Not wanting to confront the paradoxes and tensions in his life, he avoided what he perceived as conflict – in himself and in life.

Allan learned that saying no and setting boundaries has less consequence than saying yes. “Avoidance does not lead to relaxation, and losing connection to my true nature left me without a sense of my own identity," he says. "The truth is, my presence, opinions, and involvement matter. I have to value myself and believe this first, in order to be of service to myself and others."

He says that his big AHA was when he realized he can be in service to the Greater Good more powerfully if he is connected to his own sense of self.

“In coaching, my intention is to co-create sacred space where honest, authentic conversation sparks remem bering and transformation," he says. His coaching goal is to create safe spaces for profound and transformation al conversations, using the tools of deep listening, cre ativity, ceremony, and intention where clients can ho listically explore their emotions, obstacles, challenges, discover their passions and action their dreams. Joseph Campbell once said, ‘The treasure you seek is in the cave you fear to enter.’ Vonkeman believes that through a coaching partnership, a torch can be lit, illuminating that entrance to the cave of treasure. That treasure is

Have you ever felt disconnected? Lost? Resentful be cause you’ve said yes instead of no? Really yearning for connection: with yourself, people, the universe/ God, something? If so, you not alone! Allan was drawn to coaching because of the ability to connect with the people where they are right now and support them in il luminating their own path forward – a path forged with their values, purpose, and passion.

The joys and privileges of life’s journey are the oppor tunities to learn, to grow and experience; then to share these gifts and tools in coaching. From Shamanic cere monies and mystic retreats to the Wisdom learned from Elders and experts in Indigenous ways of being, coach ing, psychology and spirituality—these are all treasures to be shared in this moment.

Allan hosts astrological readings in the Comox Valley, adding another way to regain an understanding of our connection to universe. Astrology provides a compass, or more correctly a Sextant, as we travel toward heal ing and purpose. It connects Father Sky (heaven) and Mother Earth allowing a reconnection to an Indige nous way of being that is at the core of all of us. The celestial signs are linked back to the four elements of Earth, Water, Fire and Air. Each person’s chart reflects their elemental makeup and its balance or imbalance. In this way it also reflects the Medicine Wheel, our con nection to our physical body, emotions, mental being and spiritual connection. In short, Astrology helps us in exploring answers to questions such as Why am I here? Why do I behave in the ways I do? How can I be more compassionate to myself?

Interested in exploring a more holistic client centered and ceremonial approach to sparking your life?

Connect with Allan Vonkeman www.thecoachingcircle.ca | allan@thecoachingcircle.ca

Off The Beaten Path

Get Moving on the Mount Albert Edward Trail

Kealy Donaldson

MOUNT ALBERT EDWARD is pretty close to a 40 km loop trail in the Comox Valley. Generally considered a challenging route, Mount Albert Edward is the sixth highest peak on Vancouver Island, and one of the only trails directly to the summit of a major peak. This loop takes an average of three days to complete, and is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and cross-country skiing. You'll likely encounter other people while exploring as the loop is popular and used all year round. The most optimal time to visit this trail is April through October and you can bring your dogs but must be leashed.

Although this trail starts in close proximity to Courtenay, it’s important to remember that you venture deep into the backcountry and up into the exposed alpine. This trail does see a high number of easily avoidable injuries and search and rescue incidents each year.

From the trailhead to Circlet Lake, the trail is well maintained and very easy to use. While weather conditions at the higher elevations vary almost all year, it is important to know what to expect before arriving, so hikers can check Mount Washington's Nordic cameras to gauge the snow levels at weather before hiking in.

While this can be a great challenging single day hike, most like to spread out the adventure divide their hike into three days. It’s highly recommended to spend day one as a nice and easy hike into Circlet Lake where the campsites and facilities are kept in excellent shape.

The second day consists of hiking from the campsite to summit Albert Edward, which is a good uphill climb that is nicer to tackle slowly, over a full day. This is a great part of the multi-day hike, since the views are gorgeous. After you breach the climb, there is not much for shade, but the upper tundra is not very challenging until the final climb. Views are all around, sweeping views of the area, and even the ocean.

Then, for the final day, plan on spending some time on another easy hike out around the other way. It’s very scenic with the meadows and various lakes. Weather can sometimes be unpredictable here, so if you pass the Forbidden Plateau Ranger's Cabin and the weath er changes, hikers recommend trying to spend a night at Kwai Lake instead and then summit later when the weather is better.

On summer weekends, expect all the pads to be oc cupied, so do your best to find a grassy area to lay out tents. Some people even bring their fishing gear, since you can fish trout in the lakes.

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Stay Well

The Arka Brotherhood

Kealy Donaldson

DURING THE PERIOD when the world shutdown, I became more aware of the seriousness of mental health issues and self-worth. Through dialogues with friends and communities, it became apparent that there were few offerings directly supporting men’s mental health issues. I saw more and more male friends struggling and stuck in the old fashioned pressure to "be a man" and ignore their feelings. Recently, I have had the opportunity to support some friends, and help them find their way back to a path leading them forward in life.

Recently, Paul walked through the doors of Compass Gallery and we had a wonderful chat about a new chapter of ARKA that is being launched in the Comox Valley. This organization is a strong resource for support and personal growth.

The Arka Brotherhood builds better men through leadership training. The Brotherhood provides a structured space for men to transform themselves into self-aware, self-disciplined, empowered and leaders. Each leader is mentored by fellow squad captains, senior leadership and the Arka founder.

Members meet weekly in small circles, in-person or online, called ‘Squads’. Each squad is led by an experienced leader that referred to as ‘Captain’. The focus of the meetings is on speaking the truth, listening deeply, and mutual support. Men join to overcome self-sabotage, be challenged, be celebrated, set goals and be accountable for them. “ARKA” represents growth, solar energy and unification of the four masculine archetypes; King, Warrior, Magician, Lover.

The Arka Brotherhood has some deep roots. Originally called “the Samurai Brotherhood”, it had its genesis in Phil T. Mistleberger’s involvement in a weekend men’s workshop in early 1992. This workshop lasted 48 hours and involved over 200 men stuffed into a gymnasium. The seminar had been run by Justin Sterling, founder of the Sterling Institute of Relationship and its men’s arm, called the Men’s Division.

In March of 2015 Mistleberger launched the latest reboot, beginning with just six men. As of early 2022, the organization has grown to close to 500 men and dozens and dozens of squads. Two things stand out about this upgraded version of the brotherhood: the age, and the enthusiasm of the participants. Previous iterations of the community averaged about 40 years of age. The current average age is between 25 and 40. There are older men but the relative youth of this brotherhood is one of its strengths.

The growth of the brotherhood demanded certain changes in the group structure. In early 2016 the organization broke up the initial large group and began to divide into separate groups, which are now called “squads”. Squads are led by captains and lieutenants, senior members of the brotherhood.

In late 2021, the brotherhood went through a rebranding process, and the name was changed from Samurai Brotherhood to Arka Brotherhood. The executive leaders of Arka Brotherhood are Nick Solaczek and Ben Goresky, assisted by a capable group of division commanders.

Men in our modern society—especially younger men—need in their lives the sort of quality men thebrotherhood has. The unique makeup of the community, along with the overarching framework of the 14-Point Code of the Conscious Warrior that Mistleberger spent decades formulating and refining, makes it a ripe ground for growing excellent, quality, strong men.

The Code of the Conscious Warrior

ARKA circles and retreats operate within 14 guiding principles designed by founder Phil T. Mistleberger. The code is grounded in his 30+ years of experience as a student and practitioner of numerous Eastern and Western transpersonal traditions as well as his deep and broad knowledge of psychology, historical warrior cultures and wisdom teachings.

A code of conduct reflecting the values of the brotherhood and provides a solid foundation to live by. Every member is expected to aspire to, adhere to, and uphold the values contained in this 14-point code.

Arka Brotherhood Code of Conduct

1. Make your word good

2. Know yourself

3. Train your body

4. Find the holy grail, your true calling

5. Do not fight down

6. Gather courage and move forward

7. Hold space

8. Be passionate and compassionate

9. Learn, study, trail

10. Serve a noble cause greater than yourself

11. Penetrate life with your solar energy

12. Be in integrity

13. Stay in relationship

14. Be a responsible son, parent, grandparent, brother, uncle, husband, boyfriend, grandson, cousin, brother-in-law

Connect with Paul to attend the next Comox Valley ARKA Brotherhood meeting and learn more 236-508-8827 | www.arkabrotherhood.com