My work comes from the often dark belly of my own life experience and my desire to understand the path to genuine healing and transformation. After a childhood of severe religious oppression, I ventured out into the world alone and unaware of what lay before me. I spent several years using drugs, alcohol, and a fast-paced life to suppress my fear and confusion before a prolonged period of sexual harassment and assault put me over the edge. My mind and body broke down and I began to experience symptoms of trauma.
In 2002 I entered massage school as the first step to healing and prior to graduating sought to use massage with women in addiction recovery. I also studied more subtle forms of bodywork including craniosacral therapy as a way to begin the process of reuniting mind, body, and spirit. Since then my personal path and practices have included offering healing and spiritual support to vulnerable populations. In the fall of 2009 I had the immense honor of accompanying psychotherapist Edward Tick of Soldier’s Heart and a group of American veterans and family members on a healing journey to Viet Nam.
Bearing witness to the beauty and courage of those living through experiences of addiction, homelessness, incarceration, and war trauma has become one of the great blessings of my life. My own healing process, my understanding of the effects of trauma, isolation, and despair, and my belief in our ability to transform darkness into light has dramatically deepened due to the symbiotic nature of my personal and professional work.
My spiritual work lies predominantly in the realm of Insight Meditation and American Theravada Buddhism. Rodney Smith of Seattle Insight Meditation Society is my guiding teacher. I have also practiced in depth under the guidance of Noah Levine of Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society and a collective of monastic and lay teachers at Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock Meditation Center. In 2008 I co-founded the Seattle Dharma Punx and trained with Noah Levine to facilitate meditation and spiritual community.
I studied massage therapy at Brian Utting School of Massage and am a Licensed Massage Practitioner (MA#00018450) in the state of Washington. My training in craniosacral therapy and somatic healing includes extensive work with Ursula Popp of Natural Health Resources Center and Systemic Yoga founder, Ateeka. Over the past eight years I’ve shared in Circle with a wide array of spiritual and healing communities and trained with the Ojai Foundation to facilitate Council. I hold a BA in Trauma, Healing, & Spirituality from Antioch University and am looking forward to graduate studies in spiritual guidance.
My current focus is on writing, spiritual mentorship, and facilitating healing community. For more information see the Together page and keep an eye on my blog for current details. Feel free to also contact me for resources in touch therapy and somatic healing.
If you would like to offer financial support to bring spiritual and healing support to vulnerable populations, please contact me directly at rachelmoriah@sacredrecovery.com. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
