Recognizing our natural state

In Ancient Greek philosophy, ataraxia (from ἀ- (a-, negation) and ταραχ- (tarach-, "to disturb, trouble") —generally translated as "imperturbability" or "equanimity"— is a lucid state of awakeness, dignity, and congruence, characterized by ongoing freedom from emotional distress and cognitive worry.

According to many of the world’s mystery traditions, this is our natural state, our natural way of being. So why does it feel so hard to reach? What is obscuring our recognition?

We live in the vertical tension between actuality and potential. This is our human existential condition. The person we are today is always in relationship with the person who we could become tomorrow. How do we navigate this situation? How do we befriend our future (ideal) self and allow them to hold us accountable? Where do we begin if we realized we needed to grow up and wake up? And what does it mean to become a mature, ethical, and responsible Earthling, show up in and for our communities and our interconnected Interbeing?

A life full of meaning, empowerment, and purpose leads to well-being and happiness. But this is easier said than done. Complacency, confusion, and delusion get in the way. Materialism and hedonism create hypnotic and myopic conditions for our perception to be misguided on what actually constitutes wholeness. How do we gently allow our all-too-human imperfections to become visible while we humbly continue on our unique path, with our always incomplete attempts towards wisdom and excellence? How do we reach out beyond our ego-tunnels and buffered selves to a deep rooted sense of belonging and pervasive compassion? How do we hold death, loss, and impermanence in a dignified and connected manner?

These questions become ever-more important in a world where a sense of brokenness appears to manifests exponentially as we move through an unprecedented mass extinction of our fur and feathered kin, as we continue to extract beyond our planet’s limits while we cut and slash at our own organic roots themselves, as democratic institutions are reaching increased thresholds of tension while facing impossible decisions, and the fog of information-warfare is fueling radicalization and polarization.

More than ever a radical contemplative approach can allow us to release our calcified views, habituated contractions, and our addictive dependency on conceptual elaborations and find a home in the well-spring of our very existence: our natural state. As we consciously connect to and develop skillful practices we can become adept at finding virtuous happiness, independent of our circumstances. Increasing our resilience in the chaos of life without forfeiting our openness, sensitivity, and attunement.

Our world faces big challenges: nature is struggling, society is divided, and it's hard to know what's true anymore. Where do we find our direction? How do we stay grounded and hopeful while facing these realities?

These aren't just abstract questions. They're about how we live each day, how we treat each other and our planet, and how we can work together to create something better. What it means to be human itself.

Shall we begin?

What I offer

Guided by the generosity of teachers who illuminated my path with their wisdom, generosity, and compassion—often freely given or gently priced—I now share all my coaching, meditation, and teachings in the ancient tradition of dāna (Skt. दान, sacred giving).

In the Buddhist traditions, dāna is considered one of the most important spiritual practices. It represents not just material giving, but a cultivation of generosity as a virtue that liberates the heart from greed and attachment.

Your thoughtful donation, offered within your means, helps sustain this work of service, deepening practice, and continued learning.

  • In line with Buddhist tradition, this session is offered on a Dana (generosity) basis. Dana is an ancient practice that keeps teachings accessible while honoring the value of both our time together and your personal circumstances.

    After our session, you're invited to give what feels right for you - what supports both your growth and sustains this work. A typical professional one-hour coaching session in the West ranges from €75-125, but please choose an amount that reflects your means and the value you receive.

    No one is turned away for lack of funds. The practice of Dana cultivates wisdom and generosity in both giving and receiving.

    Please fill in the form below.

  • This three-month journey allows us to work deeply with your unique patterns and create lasting change through consistent support and practice. We'll meet twice monthly for focused sessions One-Hour sessions, with additional text/voice note support between meetings to help integrate insights and navigate challenges.

    In keeping with Buddhist tradition, this program is offered on a Dana (generosity) basis. This practice of sacred exchange honors both the depth of our work together and your unique circumstances. While similar coaching programs typically range from €500-1000 you're invited to give what feels both meaningful and sustainable for you.

    The commitment is to the full three months, with Dana offered monthly or as a single contribution. This arrangement allows us to focus entirely on your growth while fostering mutual trust and dedication to the practice.

    No one is turned away for lack of funds. Through Dana, we create a relationship based on genuine reciprocity and shared commitment to awakening and inner liberation.

  • This carefully held sacred space draws on over a decade of professional facilitation experience, combining traditional wisdom with modern safety protocols. Each private ceremony involves two experienced facilitators to ensure the highest level of care and attention throughout your journey.

    Following Buddhist tradition, this work is offered on a Dana basis, while honoring the substantial time commitment, professional expertise, and resources required for safe facilitation. Given the comprehensive nature of the support - including two facilitators, preparation, ceremony, and integration - we suggest a minimum up-front Dana of €1000. This baseline allows us to sustainably provide this level of dedicated care while keeping the spirit of generosity alive.

    Those called to offer more are welcome to do so in alignment with their means and the value received. Similar professional services in the Netherlands typically range from €1500-3000.

    The offering includes:

    • Pre-ceremony preparation session

    • Carefully guided ceremony with two experienced facilitators

    • Dedicated safety protocols and monitoring

    • Post-ceremony integration support

    • Support materials and practices

    Space is extremely limited to ensure the highest quality of care. All sessions comply with Dutch regulations and emphasize safety, support, and sacred holding of space.

    This work is offered with deep respect for both the medicines and the traditions from which they come.

  • This comprehensive course is offered in the spirit of dana (generous giving), making it accessible to everyone regardless of financial situation. Through 7 lessons and 7 guided practice sessions, you'll learn to overcome procrastination by understanding its emotional roots, developing practical strategies for taking action, and cultivating a more compassionate relationship with yourself.

    You'll discover how to:

    • Transform your relationship with difficult emotions

    • Create effective implementation intentions to "just get started"

    • Build a stronger connection with your future self

    • Replace harsh self-judgment with sustainable motivation

    • Take consistent action toward what truly matters

    The course is freely offered, trusting in the traditional Buddhist practice of dana – voluntary giving from the heart. If you find value in these teachings, your contribution helps keep them accessible to others and supports the creation of future resources. All donations, whether one-time or recurring, are deeply appreciated.

    Download here.

    Note: One-on-one coaching sessions are also available on a dana basis for those seeking personalized guidance.

  • Transform your business challenges into opportunities for growth with experienced consulting tailored to your needs.

    Rate: €100 per hour

    Reach out directly and we can discuss how to best support your specific situation.

What clients experience

“When I started coaching, my intention was to gain some clarity about the dissatisfaction that I felt in my career and to explore ways to pivot. Although I had achieved many of the financial and professional goals that I'd set a decade earlier, I was unfulfilled and stuck. I had the awareness that I needed to stop climbing the ladder but I couldn't step off.

Martijn's approach was to start small, to build a foundation. We explored daily habits, procrastination, and key facets of my personality that were driving unintended outcomes. Through that process, all of the ways in which I was prioritizing others' needs and expectations to the exclusion of my own became clear. Martijn asked the hard questions and, through journaling exercises, taught me how to explore the origins of various distorted beliefs and to release them.”

—K (Coaching Client)

“With Martijn's continued support, I emerged with a fresh perspective on my life situation and an incredible sense of possibility and confidence in my ability to find new ways to contribute in the world. In addition, I was able to get beyond patterns of self-blame and criticism and, as a result, spend much less time worrying about past mistakes.”

—E (Coaching Client)

“Martijn gave me the tools to reconnect with my experience regularly and to stay present as I navigated my day-to-day life and started making changes in career, relationships, and community.

Martijn is not afraid of exploring difficult or painful topics; in fact, he's quite comfortable there because it's where the real growth happens. He's an incredibly wise and compassionate coach and has a keen ability to see people as they truly are and to provide candid, unbiased feedback that never feels judgmental. Because of these qualities, I felt supported and cared for on every step of the journey. Three months later, my baseline is fundamentally different—I approach each day more joyfully and no longer feel stuck or lacking in direction—and the sustainable changes that I've implemented with Martijn's help have enhanced my life and experience immeasurably.”

—J (Coaching Client)

Let’s work together

Interested in working together? Fill out the form below and I will be in touch shortly. I am looking forward to hear from you.

Mastering Procrastination Course

Mastering Procrastination: A Journey to Intentional Living is a comprehensive 4-hour audio course. It contains 7 theoretical lessons and 7 applied guided practices designed to help you break free from the cycle of procrastination and cultivate a more purposeful, productive life.

This transformative journey goes beyond simple time-management techniques, delving deep into the psychological and emotional roots of procrastination.

Throughout this course:

  • You'll gain a profound understanding of procrastination's true nature and its impact on your life

  • Learn to identify and regulate the emotions that drive procrastination

  • Develop practical strategies to overcome task aversion and "just get started"

  • Master the art of implementation intentions to bridge the gap between goals and actions

  • Cultivate self-compassion and resilience in the face of setbacks

  • Explore the interplay between personality, environment, and procrastination tendencies

  • Create a personalized, sustainable plan for long-term change.

Learn More

Each lesson combines theoretical insights with practical exercises, guided meditations, and actionable steps.

By the end of this course, you'll have a robust toolkit for emotional regulation, a deeper understanding of your motivations, and the ability to align your actions with your intentions. Whether you're struggling with work deadlines, personal projects, or life goals, this course will empower you to take control of your time and energy.

  • Become better at making clear, intentional choices

  • Develop the ability to resist immediate temptations for long-term benefits

  • Increase your capacity to persist in the face of challenges or setbacks

  • Nurture your internal drive to pursue goals

  • Improve your ability to maintain commitment to your chosen actions over time

  • Understand your desires, impulses and triggers, and thought patterns better

  • Be more present and intentional in your moment-to-moment choices

Sacred giving