About Us

Celedra Gildea, PhD, Founder

Celedra Gildea, PhD, is a psychotherapist by profession. In 20 years working with clients in therapy, she has found that living life with intention is key to happiness and spiritual fulfillment. Devoted to helping others while exploring and illuminating touchstones of the sacred in everyday life, Celedra founded this blog with a mission to create and nurture community while providing tools, resources and diverse paths to explore along the sacred journey of intentional living. In 1995 Celedra began designing malas to support her own spiritual practice in Tibetan Buddhism. In 2007 she traveled to Tibet and founded Tara Malas, a non-profit cottage industry that helps support the impoverished Nangchen nuns and local Tibetan women. Celedra also founded and operates a conscious lifestyle company that provides sacred art and jewelry that combines ancient tradition with modern beauty.

Matsya Siosal, CEO

Matsya Siosal is a writer, artist, entrepreneur and activist with a passion for holistic living and the lifelong journey of self-actualization. Her professional background includes creative and commercial writing, business management, award-winning sales management and national sales and marketing coordination. In addition to her work with Touchstones of the Sacred, Matsya is sole proprietor of Merchant Scribe, providing professional writing, sales and marketing support services for companies that contribute to a healthier, more sustainable marketplace. In the future she looks forward to opening a vegan bed and breakfast with her husband. Matsya lives in Portland, OR and spends as much time in nature as possible.

Peter Ivory, Cinematographer
Peter Ivory is a cinematographer and photographer, with a love for storytelling. Peter’s personal passion and skills has brought to Touchstones of the Sacred many of the visual images and personal interviews that so many have enjoyed. Capturing the essence of what is means to be human in “Sacred Moments” to the simple words of truth and wisdom that can redefine who we are at any moment.    For more information about Peter and his work go to StudioArtsProductions.com.

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Nora Nickerson, Guest Blogger

Nora Nickerson is a nurse practitioner, artist and poet living in Tucson, Arizona. She has published a number of her poetry pieces and has been a featured poet in many southern Arizona venues. She works with the underserved of southern Arizona and Veterans Administration providing primary healthcare. She has a penchant for exploring philosophy and many spiritual ideologies that has culminated in her own daily meditation practice and spiritual belief system. Her daily intention is to always remember to view the world, humanity and herself through an open mind and heart.

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Rachelle Goering, MA, ARNP, BC, Guest Blogger

Rachelle Goering, MA, ARNP, BC is a board certified family nurse practitioner and psychotherapist with more than 30 years of professional experience into her private practice. Using traditional and alternative approaches to healing, Rachelle’s Bay Area/Grass Valley practice focuses on women’s health with an emphasis on perimenopause and menopause, supporting emotional balance, optimal physical health and spiritual well being. She also has a psychotherapy practice in Marin. Rachelle is a dedicated and accomplished teacher, speaker, program developer and workshop facilitator. Despite her busy schedule she finds time to relax and enjoy her environment hiking on Mt. Tam, swimming in her pool at home or shopping at local farmer’s markets.

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Pamela Wright, Guest Blogger

Pamela Wright is a relative newcomer to the Portland area and contributes on a number of topics reflecting attention and intention toward soul life, balanced with being all too human. For Pamela writing has been a passion, a path and on occasion, a response to the questions of life. She opens her day with gratitude and in the midst of daily endeavor, intends to experience the divine in all corners and crevices. Her companion feline, Sunny who barely fits her lap, reminds her to be still and breathe.

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Julie Clayton, MA, Guest Blogger

Julie Clayton, MA, is a new consciousness writer, editor, reviewer, and conscious evolution consultant and coach. You can email her at sacredwriting@mac.com or visit her website at www.sacredwriting.com. Consciousness is the universal dimension of human experience. We will become what we choose to become.