We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chris Peraro a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chris, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

The best leader/mentor I ever had was my High School Summer League Ice Hockey Coach. Just to give him the honor he deserves, I’d like to talk about him by name: Ted Perry. Coach Perry demonstrated great leadership as a coach in several facets. Most importantly, he was an unconditional cheerleader. He was notorious for leaving me notes of deep encouragement. One day, I was pretty down on myself for having played poorly in a game and after the game he snail-mailed me a note that commenced with a definition of the word “perseverance.” This was followed by a resolute proclamation of his belief in me. It struck a deep chord within me. Looking back, I realized I did not believe in myself (at that time), but Coach Perry saw something in me, (something he later termed “true grit”) that I did not see in myself. I needed both his vision and encouragement to stay the course and not give up. Coach Perry had my back no matter what and was fundamentally invested in seeing me through a whole experience that included both highs and lows, victories and defeats but he had this uncanny ability to see beyond all of that, too. He was not solely invested in victory for victory’s sake — only victory for community’s sake and the tough learning that comes with going down together. The team’s connection mattered more than anything for Coach Perry and he fully embraced whatever outcome the game handed us — always there to wince in pain alongside us, shed tears, or to celebrate the ecstasy of winning.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My work as a Soul Guide is to serve those longing to know and manifest their unique soul offering in the world. These folks are true soul-searchers! They believe they are here for a single-pointed purpose that is in alignment with their birthright gifts and skills. However, they have not yet encountered the stream of gold that runs through them. These individuals are not satisfied with the way cultural definitions of their career or their roles limit them — they want to get outside of structures and into the open and expansive landscape of Soul!!! So, my work is an invitation into Soul-scape. It requires that we enter the realm of human connection via intuition, imagination and instinct rather than the rational or strategic mind. To contact Soul-scape, we have to slow down and use other channels of knowing that were squashed (for most of us) shortly after birth. Once we make contact, this work is pure enchantment because we end up finding a wellspring of vibrancy and meaning that’s been waiting for us all along!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Two years ago, a perfect storm of life circumstances converged and I was struck with the immense gift of chronic illness. At first, I resisted by kicking and screaming. I had a full private practice under a different business name and I did not want to let it go. However, once I slowed down and listened, it was painfully clear that I needed a healing sabbatical. So, I pivoted in the Summer of 2022 and entered the butterflies’ cocoon. During my sabbatical, I read, meditated, sang, drummed and entered the wilderness daily. Reading and meditation were familiar to me but singing and drumming and wandering in the wilderness were foreign. However, I discovered that these latter practices were fundamental to my healing process. I had become too burdened as a psychotherapist and healer and thus had hardened my heart. This yearlong sabbatical gave me not only my vibrance back but a heart full of love and ready to be shared with the world. It was a tough learning, but an absolutely necessary one for which I’m still incredibly grateful!

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and knowledge, the keys to success in my field are disciplined self-care and unwavering flexibility. The self-care piece is fairly obvious when you work in the healing arts field. It can be tough and draining to see people suffering on a daily basis. It requires work to not only tend to yourself, but to stay the course when things get difficult with your clients. Sometimes, you have to be humble and admit that things aren’t working and you are not the best fit for your client. Other times, you have to be firm with clients that are trying to wiggle away from the hardships of doing committed soul work. It’s not easy – and you can get hijacked by other harmful inner voices (like your inner critic, for example) if. you’re not staying connected to yourself. Regarding flexibility, you have to be willing to pivot at any moment. Here, I specifically mean regarding the vision you’re holding for your business. If we hold on too tightly to what we want to do, we rule out so many creative possibilities. When we stay open and flexible, its quite magnificent what can unfold before our eyes!

Contact Info:

• Website: darkmoonrising.net
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-peraro-ma-lpc-08567096/

Image Credits
Cherry Laithang, Johannes Plenio, David Gabric