![[about banner.png]] ## Welcome to Orien Star #about I'm Michael and here you'll find me thinking about creativity, art, buddhist dharma, digital knowledge working, and other things I find interesting on the web. A big part of my work is learning how to craft reliable methods and processes that *compound, sustain, and enable* creative thinking & action over time. My research, reflections and synthesizing of these topics is ongoing. This is the benefit of a digital garden: it's alive, growing, changing, and adapting as vision and work crystallize into more concrete objectives... while some never do. *"Two pillars of expertise in my life are carpentry and meditation"* I grew up in the trades and have been woodworking for about a decade. I've been meditating and studying dharma even longer—I picked up the interest in college, and over the last 15 years I've been on many retreats, trainings, and personal pilgrimages. I offer both carpentry services and meditation guidance professionally through **[Sylvan Woodworks](https://sylvandesign.carrd.co/)** and **[Collective Therapy and Wellness](https://collective-therapy.com/mindfulness-coaching)**. I also collaborate with **[Omziel Healing Sanctuary](https://www.omzielhealingsanctuary.com/)** and provide offerings here as well. Writing was my first love. I've gathered a library of memoirs, poems, and essays throughout my adulthood as I was processing my own spiritual awakening, existential angsts, life transitions, and mystic perceptions. More recently, my writing has been manifesting in song as I sing, play guitar, and use virtual synthesizing tools to make music. My wife and I make up the duo **[Moonbyrds](https://soundcloud.com/moonbyrds)** and we released our first album, _Interweave_, in 2024. As my outlets vary, this digital home will do its best to foster creative thinking while acting as a hub for my offerings, services, and projects. To stay up to date and hear from me more regularly, **[join my newsletter](https://rarekarma.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips)**—I send it out twice a month with timely reflections, new ideas, and upcoming offerings.