Joseph Nicholas Mach is an accomplished musician, artist, Gestalt/IFS coach and founder of Ten Ox Coaching. Joseph studied for 5 years with Steve Flynn, MA/CMT, learning Gestalt therapy, bio-energetics, qi gong and Internal Family Systems and he teaches these powerful tools in one-on-one sessions, group workshops and retreats. With an emphasis on presence and openness, Joseph brings a grounded, embodied approach to exploring and untangling your inner world.
November Update - Beyond Our Understanding
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NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2025 Hello Reader, I love painting, but one of my biggest challenges is deciding WHAT to paint. I used to do a lot of second-guessing about my choices. Here’s a story about that. A few years ago, I had a particularly vivid dream, and got a strong internal nudge to try and paint it. I had been saving a big canvas for something special, and had always been curious if I could capture a dream in paint. It was an elaborate dreamscape visual - a big hazy desert with two polar bears and some sort of gold-ringed portal that they walked through. The bears felt strong and meaningful to me, and the desert was vast and harsh. The dream also had something about a wedding and my high school friend Tim. All in all, not an easy scene to capture. The results were, as you can see, less than I might’ve hoped: I had a grand idea that this painting would unlock a whole new avenue of creativity for me, a brilliant cross-section of subconscious exploration and visual expression. Instead, I had two clipart bears at a smeary McDonald’s. I had clocked quite a few hours on this painting, and was feeling a bit frustrated with my intuitive “nudge,” and what a dud this painting was.L ater that week, I had a date with a woman I had begun seeing. It was her first time visiting my apartment. I left the painting on the easel (hoping to at least impress her with my creativity), but she made no mention of it. The date went well, and we began seeing each other more regularly after that. Weeks later, the topic of spirit animals came up. She mentioned that polar bears have always been a protector of hers - and that she had some fears about coming to my place that evening, but then when she walked in, she saw my ugly painting and took it as a clear message that she was safe with me. I am now married to that woman and we have a son together. Thank you, nudges. Now Accepting New ClientsI love this work. I love sharing the tools I have learned; helping my clients navigate their inner world and then watching that ripple out into their external world in remarkable ways. And I also remember feeling SO NERVOUS to begin my inner exploration. It might not be time. But if you are feeling that call - what the Gurdjieff work calls "magnetic center" pulling you towards working on yourself - then I would love to explore with you.
Virtual or In-Person. For details on package rates and special trainings, visit www.tenoxcoaching.com. Upcoming Workshops & TalksDec 3 - Integration Circle, Kuya Wellness REGISTER HERE Joseph's MusicArt UpdateI had a wonderful two weekends of Austin Studio Tour - thank you to all of you who stopped by. I feel inspired and honored to be part of such a vibrant tradition here in Austin.
I'm so glad we get to stay connected in this way and I'm grateful that you are in my life. Feel free to share this with anyone in your life, and I would love to hear how you are doing. Many blessings on your Thanksgiving feast! |
Joseph Mach
Joseph Nicholas Mach is an accomplished musician, artist, Gestalt/IFS coach and founder of Ten Ox Coaching. Joseph studied for 5 years with Steve Flynn, MA/CMT, learning Gestalt therapy, bio-energetics, qi gong and Internal Family Systems and he teaches these powerful tools in one-on-one sessions, group workshops and retreats. With an emphasis on presence and openness, Joseph brings a grounded, embodied approach to exploring and untangling your inner world.
NEWSLETTER - June 2026 Hello Reader, I have fallen in love with painting. Please don’t tell my guitar. I’ve been working on a recent series of abstract “Night Owls.” And I love them. I look forward to painting like a giddy schoolboy: There are two key components that I think are making a difference - why I am enjoying myself so much more - and loving the final product. #1 Dropping the agenda Up until now I have always painted from a reference photo, and most of the painting’s success or...
NEWSLETTER - MAY 2026 "Understanding is the gateway to compassion" -Thich Nhat Hanh Dear Reader, One of my favorite moments in session work (especially with beginners), is watching the profound SHIFT that takes place when a part (sub-personality) goes from the unforgivable villain of the internal narrative, to the misunderstood hero. The shift is often subtle - but it is a watershed moment often accompanied by a palpable sense of relief in the room. Take a common example, that of an...
APRIL 2026 Hello Reader, One practice I’ve implemented for many years comes from Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way.” It’s called an “Artist’s Date,” and is, as she puts it, “a once-weekly adventure to do something fun" that is "solo, festive, and designed to fill your well" with inspiration.” I found that a weekly date wasn’t sustainable with my schedule, so I’ve found that a monthly cadence is do-able. And, even at that pace, it’s a monthly struggle to make time for my inner artist, placing...