My life experiences and journey of training and preparation led me into the field of specialty: helping people
empower and heal themselves in the fullness of all their dimensions: emotional, intellectual, mental and spiritual.
That journey has taken many years, and many varied paths. These have produced the "contrasts and contradictions".
The website is part of my contribution to share what I've learned with others, and to help empower those who
haven't been able to do so on their own yet. In addition, I offer services to complement what's on the site.
I was born in Andijk, Noord Holland (NH), The Netherlands (Nederland), & after moving to Canada with my parents
in 1952, grew up in rural eastern Ontario, Canada, in Holloway in the Belleville - Kingston area. My youth was
spent on farms in both countries, and only later migrated to the cities. Currently, I live in Short Beach, Yarmouth
County, Nova Scotia (NS), but my practice is province-wide (world-wide with the email dimension). My grandkids
call me "Opa", and I was named after my father, Klaas Tuinman, and his father's name was Klaas Tuinman too, and
that was my "Opa".
empower and heal themselves in the fullness of all their dimensions: emotional, intellectual, mental and spiritual.
That journey has taken many years, and many varied paths. These have produced the "contrasts and contradictions".
The website is part of my contribution to share what I've learned with others, and to help empower those who
haven't been able to do so on their own yet. In addition, I offer services to complement what's on the site.
I was born in Andijk, Noord Holland (NH), The Netherlands (Nederland), & after moving to Canada with my parents
in 1952, grew up in rural eastern Ontario, Canada, in Holloway in the Belleville - Kingston area. My youth was
spent on farms in both countries, and only later migrated to the cities. Currently, I live in Short Beach, Yarmouth
County, Nova Scotia (NS), but my practice is province-wide (world-wide with the email dimension). My grandkids
call me "Opa", and I was named after my father, Klaas Tuinman, and his father's name was Klaas Tuinman too, and
that was my "Opa".
I am first, and foremost, a Father, Step-Father, Grandfather (Opa) and Great-Grandfather (Opa is the Dutch word
for "grandpa"), as well as a friend, and try to fulfil these roles to the best of my ability.
I believe that the universe, the world, and life are unfolding as they should - except where dysfunction happened and
major inner injury was done - and hurt was caused: otherwise the unfolding happens steadily and slowly.
All of us are both simple and complex at the same time. We are all products of our experiences, the people we have
met and the things we have learned. I try hard to fulfill Plato's advice, Know Thyself (a counsellor or guide who
doesn't thoroughly know him/herself can do harm: helping people on their various journeys of recovery and healing is a
huge responsibility).
The many interesting byways, formal education and specialist training were all focused on making it easier for me to
understand people who came to me for help - because understanding brings "acceptance" - and compassion. When you
truly understand someone, you accept them - and you do not judge. But I remember always: I started on a farm, worked
in factories and went back to school later in life.
for "grandpa"), as well as a friend, and try to fulfil these roles to the best of my ability.
I believe that the universe, the world, and life are unfolding as they should - except where dysfunction happened and
major inner injury was done - and hurt was caused: otherwise the unfolding happens steadily and slowly.
All of us are both simple and complex at the same time. We are all products of our experiences, the people we have
met and the things we have learned. I try hard to fulfill Plato's advice, Know Thyself (a counsellor or guide who
doesn't thoroughly know him/herself can do harm: helping people on their various journeys of recovery and healing is a
huge responsibility).
The many interesting byways, formal education and specialist training were all focused on making it easier for me to
understand people who came to me for help - because understanding brings "acceptance" - and compassion. When you
truly understand someone, you accept them - and you do not judge. But I remember always: I started on a farm, worked
in factories and went back to school later in life.
But I am not all "professional": for hobbies and personal interests I enjoy photography (nature, wild-life, and studies),
walks along woodland trails as well as the beach, sport fishing, visiting new places, meeting new people, listening to
music and many other activities, and love laughter and joy in life.
I love photography: in the past I did a lot of landscape/nature photography, as well as studies of people and children
(candid) - with three major exhibitions behind me. These days I am doing more photography - as a way to balance my life
between speaking engagements, conducting seminars and facilitating workshops. It is a way to restore my inner psychic
and spiritual resources.
I also teach a few interested people the basics of photography - I believe that the artistic/creative urge in people is
one of the most powerful healing agents available to humans.
Added to that, I do some candid portraiture of people and children on a "commercial" basis, but very selectively. And the
nature trails in this area, as well as the general surrounding, provide a myriad of photographic opportunities to take
pictures of flora and fauna, especially eco-photography: My venture is called DawnStar Multi-Media Studio:
photography.
Whether you know me as Mr. Tuinman, Fr. Klaas, Opa, or just plain Klaas, I am the same basic person.
Over the years, my preference became working with Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families/Relationships. I became
interested in the entire "Inner Child" concept, and developed a specialty for working with those who suffer from the
"Lost Child" syndrome.
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walks along woodland trails as well as the beach, sport fishing, visiting new places, meeting new people, listening to
music and many other activities, and love laughter and joy in life.
I love photography: in the past I did a lot of landscape/nature photography, as well as studies of people and children
(candid) - with three major exhibitions behind me. These days I am doing more photography - as a way to balance my life
between speaking engagements, conducting seminars and facilitating workshops. It is a way to restore my inner psychic
and spiritual resources.
I also teach a few interested people the basics of photography - I believe that the artistic/creative urge in people is
one of the most powerful healing agents available to humans.
Added to that, I do some candid portraiture of people and children on a "commercial" basis, but very selectively. And the
nature trails in this area, as well as the general surrounding, provide a myriad of photographic opportunities to take
pictures of flora and fauna, especially eco-photography: My venture is called DawnStar Multi-Media Studio:
photography.
Whether you know me as Mr. Tuinman, Fr. Klaas, Opa, or just plain Klaas, I am the same basic person.
Over the years, my preference became working with Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families/Relationships. I became
interested in the entire "Inner Child" concept, and developed a specialty for working with those who suffer from the
"Lost Child" syndrome.
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- Have taught Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Anthropology and Advanced Communication &
Counselling Techniques at Community College & University levels & was itinerant outreach teacher for the
Kingston, Ontario, school board. - Have worked with all age and gender groups - confronting a wide range of life problems, especially people with
major addictions and dysfunctional behaviour and life patterns they had established.
- Experienced in working in special programs (for example, a program for rescued "street people" - teens & young
adults) - Was facilitator and instructor in the "Ontario Youth Start" and "Futures" program.
- 28 years direct experience counselling, coaching and helping adults from all walks - and many cultures - of
life. - 15 years involvement in 12-Step programs as speaker and sponsor.
- Have been counselling alcoholics and their families since 1982.
- Subscribe more to the "Drink Wise" philosophy about alcohol addiction, than the disease model.
- Many of my students/clients came from the dis-enfranchised, un-empowered sector of our society (economically &
socially marginalized and under-privileged people (in various programs) - All my training and subsequent learning (from experience) has been focused on helping (coaching & guiding) people.
- Instructor in "Workplace Education", Pre-GED & Adult Literacy programs in Nova Scotia.
I continued my journey after my years at University, and engaged in specialized study & training (both directed and self-
directed), and of active involvement in the Anglican Church of Canada (2 dioceses). Eventually that part of the journey
resulted in being ordained in the traditional 7 Holy Orders of the "catholic"church in 1998 by Bishop Gilbert Arnold, in
Guelph, Ontario. I am associated with the Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch.
As a validly ordained Independent Catholic priest, I am the pastor of Dawn Cove Abbey's Church. Independent Catholic
priests are allowed to be married: I am a man who doesn't have all the answers: just some answers (but know where to
look for many of them): my role is helping others find their answers.
Dawn Cove Abbey began in 1995 as a labour of love, and made this site freely available to all. Dawn Cove Abbey derives
income mostly from donations and gifts, and recently from the publications available here. I am a non-stipendary priest
("non-stipendary" means not paid - deriving no income from a congregation or organization - these priests have to have
regular jobs/careers to earn their income. Currently, the speaking engagements, seminars, workshops and private
counselling practice etc, are my means of income, as is my photography studio.
A secondary "labour of love" is the MorningStar Inspirations section of the site. It contains many pages of
inspirational, motivational, thought-provoking and humorous pages - all designed to uplift your spirit. It is the section
that donations and gifts keep going.
I am not "your ordinary kind of priest" because of the particular and peculiar mix of my preparation for my various
"roles". I work hard to leave my "psychological/professional" side out of friendships, relationships and day-to-day
interaction with people.
My "job" largely, is to be engaged in "consciousness-raising" and then providing the services and supports to help people
translate that into attitudes, lifestyles and behaviours that are constructive, positive and empowering.
Electronic Outreach Media & Experience (over a decade and a half of online experience)
- Began in 1990 with two computer BBSes (world-wide connections):
- Initially called Transition Point BBS, it became Dawn Cove Abbey BBS in 1995 - utilizing two modems and multi-
lines until 2001.
- Internet presence since 1991:
- Co-moderated of AOL's Abuse Survivors forum (4 years)
- Online Social Science tutor for Univ of San Francisco (2 years)
- Currently host/moderate 2 eLists (listServs) on the "net"
- This Website has been online since Jan 2005 (I am also webmaster - and still learning).
Dawn Cove Abbey has two eLists (ListServs): one called "Stella_Maris" - an open, non-sectarian spiritual
discussion forum; the other, "Morning Star", a "newsletter" type for mailing-out inspirational items. To
join/subscribe to either - email me and I'll add you promptly.
discussion forum; the other, "Morning Star", a "newsletter" type for mailing-out inspirational items. To
join/subscribe to either - email me and I'll add you promptly.
| Namaste, I wish you Peace |
| Opa Klaas Tuinman M.A. Life & Spiritual Guide-Coach, Facilitator, Counselor |
The "Professional":
having worked most of my adult professional life with people affected by the negative aspects of a
dysfunctional culture (which is a diverse inclusive group that came from all walks of life, and ranges
from un-empowered people, alcoholics and other addictions, to more economically fortunate people
suffering from dysfunctional behaviour and life style patterns, I bring my accumulated experience and
knowledge to my Guiding, Coaching, Counseling and facilitating activities (I learned much from the people
I have worked with, and continue to do so).
My orientation, although employing many methods, is fully humanistic (an almost shamanistic approach).
More on my preparation & training below.
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The "Man":
since childhood I have been curious and inquisitive, and love to study people and different cultures. I am
fascinated by the wide variety in human "nature" and behaviour. As a person, like all other people, my
life is a mixture of contrasts and seeming contradictions and contrasts, of course. And I fill a number
of "roles": grandfather, father, friend, counsellor, guide, mentor, coach and priest.
having worked most of my adult professional life with people affected by the negative aspects of a
dysfunctional culture (which is a diverse inclusive group that came from all walks of life, and ranges
from un-empowered people, alcoholics and other addictions, to more economically fortunate people
suffering from dysfunctional behaviour and life style patterns, I bring my accumulated experience and
knowledge to my Guiding, Coaching, Counseling and facilitating activities (I learned much from the people
I have worked with, and continue to do so).
My orientation, although employing many methods, is fully humanistic (an almost shamanistic approach).
More on my preparation & training below.
________________________________________________________________________
The "Man":
since childhood I have been curious and inquisitive, and love to study people and different cultures. I am
fascinated by the wide variety in human "nature" and behaviour. As a person, like all other people, my
life is a mixture of contrasts and seeming contradictions and contrasts, of course. And I fill a number
of "roles": grandfather, father, friend, counsellor, guide, mentor, coach and priest.
"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the
life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness (love) never decreases by being shared." ~Buddha
life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness (love) never decreases by being shared." ~Buddha
My formal post-secondary education was at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, where I obtained a BA (Hon) and
an MA), majoring in Psychology, Anthropology & Sociology (with a special focus on religion and spirituality).
Later, I expanded my training further:
an MA), majoring in Psychology, Anthropology & Sociology (with a special focus on religion and spirituality).
- To understand cultures (and people) better, I also pursued studies in Oriental & Islamic Philosophy - which in
those cultures means a tight inter-knitting with psychology and spirituality (religion); this combination has
provided a deep multi-cultural understanding of the cultural relativity of human emotional and behavioural
problems. It also gave a much wider and richer perspective on that broad range of spirituality (for more
information on Cultural Relativity see Glossary).
- I believe that if you are going to be involved in people's lives as a coach or guide, you'd best be as fully
prepared as you can be, and learn as much as you can, in order to do as little "damage" due to ignorance as
possible - to facilitate healing, not its reverse.
- In my graduate studies I was exposed to the radical approach to treatment of psychotic disorders in england
by Dr. R.D. Laing (that certain of these disorders were simply highly individualistic and personal ways a
person in extreme emotional pain took to work it out; and the work of Gregory Bateson on "Double-Bind
Theory" - an attempt to explain behaviour as a result of "mixed messages" from the primary care giver (for
more on these see the Glossary).
- Because people aren't just mental and emotional beings, but also have a "spiritual" dimension, I did additional
post-graduate studies with Thornloe College (Theological College at Laurentian University, Sudbury ON) - in
order to incorporate the spiritual dimension of human life and nature more effectively in his profession.
Later, I expanded my training further:
- Trained as Life Skills Coach in the Saskatchewan New-Start program
- Additional facilitation training with the Logos Institute (Diocese of Toronto-Trinity) and facilitated many
Logos workshops in the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia-Prince Edward Island. - Hypnosis training with the Eastern Ontario Clinical Hypnotist Association, Kingston, Ontario, and the
Greater NE Academy of Hypnosis, Peabody, Massachusetts.
- Workshops & Professional Development courses (on-going - including the following).
- Crisis Intervention Training
- Suicide Prevention Training
- Tutor certificate, Nova Scotia Dept of Education
- 28 years Hands-on experience working with individuals and groups!
"Not your teacher; but a fellow traveller of whom you asked the way"
28 years private practice - 15 years online/distance & tele-counselling
Healing, Recovery and Reconciliation
| Dawn Cove Abbey Empowerment Outreach - New Beginning Online LIFE COUNSELING / COACHING / COUNSELLING and CONSULTING FOR INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES & FAMILIES |
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| I don't have your answers ready-made - But - I can help you find the answers to healing that you need - based on my professional experience. |
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I am first, and foremost, a Father, Step-Father, Grandfather (Opa) and Great-Grandfather (Opa is the Dutch word
for "grandpa"), as well as a friend, and try to fulfil these roles to the best of my ability.
I believe that the universe, the world, and life are unfolding as they should - except where dysfunction happened and
major inner injury was done - and hurt was caused: otherwise the unfolding happens steadily and slowly.
All of us are both simple and complex at the same time. We are all products of our experiences, the people we have
met and the things we have learned. I try hard to fulfill Plato's advice, Know Thyself (a counsellor or guide who
doesn't thoroughly know him/herself can do harm: helping people on their various journeys of recovery and healing is a
huge responsibility).
The many interesting byways, formal education and specialist training were all focused on making it easier for me to
understand people who came to me for help - because understanding brings "acceptance" - and compassion. When you
truly understand someone, you accept them - and you do not judge. But I remember always: I started on a farm, worked
in factories and went back to school later in life.
for "grandpa"), as well as a friend, and try to fulfil these roles to the best of my ability.
I believe that the universe, the world, and life are unfolding as they should - except where dysfunction happened and
major inner injury was done - and hurt was caused: otherwise the unfolding happens steadily and slowly.
All of us are both simple and complex at the same time. We are all products of our experiences, the people we have
met and the things we have learned. I try hard to fulfill Plato's advice, Know Thyself (a counsellor or guide who
doesn't thoroughly know him/herself can do harm: helping people on their various journeys of recovery and healing is a
huge responsibility).
The many interesting byways, formal education and specialist training were all focused on making it easier for me to
understand people who came to me for help - because understanding brings "acceptance" - and compassion. When you
truly understand someone, you accept them - and you do not judge. But I remember always: I started on a farm, worked
in factories and went back to school later in life.
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- I have had a private practice for 28 years (guiding, counseling/coaching, mentoring and facilitating).
a "
- As a coach & priest, I am a "guide into the mysteries" - of the mind and of sacred, spiritual things (sacraments,
s" - of the mind and of sacred, spiritual things (sacraments, guide into the the mass and other spiritual things), as well as
the depth's of the unconscious mind - the word for that is:"psychopomp" from the Greek). And that is all I am: a guide -
not God's "gate-keeper".
- By "soul" I mean a person's "inner being" and it has many different names. It resembles depth psychology in normal
counselling/therapy. My motto is: "I am not your teacher, but a fellow traveller whom you stopped to ask the way";
helping people re-integrate and heal themselves, and experience the divine directly: gnosis (a gnostic approach).
- Taught Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Anthropology and Advanced Communication & Counselling Techniques
at Community College & University levels & was itinerant outreach teacher for the Kingston, Ontario, school board.
- Have worked with all age and gender groups - confronting a wide range of life problems, including people with
addictions. - Experienced in working in special programs (for example, a program for rescued "street people" - teens & young
adults)
- Was facilitator and instructor in the "Ontario Youth Start" and "Futures" program.
- 28 years direct experience counselling, coaching and helping adults from all walks - and many cultures - of life.
- As a Life Skills Specialist, my major specialty is working with survivors: the Adult Children of Dysfunctional
Families & Relationships. - I deeply believe in expanding our "innate" potential - and the humanistic-spirituality of all people.
All leadership positions involve great responsibility: priesthood (to adequately address the spiritual dimension of life)
involves even more responsibility, for a pastor deals with people who are often at their most vulnerable - it is a very
humbling experience - because it entails a lot of trust. I take this very seriously.
I am a priest I believe you can be safe with; who listens; and whom you can talk to. The "answers" I have found work for
me - and many others - but my answers aren't your answers - each finds their answer - in a different way - because we
are all different, and our answers are based on who we are.
As I see it, my job as "guide", is to help others on their journey to find answers for their lives. Again, a humbling
experience, rather than one of arrogance (note: I am a guide, not the guide; nor mediator/director - I am not a "guru"). At
this stage of my journey I have accumulated experience, a deep appreciation for other human beings and their struggles
and accomplishments.In the process I acquired some titles, but I am not them: I am a fully-rounded person (meaning, I am
the sum-total of all my facets).
I was "radicalized" early in life, and later as an adult, mature student, became involved in a "political economy" group (at
university) with socialists, marxists and ultra-left liberals, and became influenced by Liberation Theology at the same
time. Upon graduation, my decision was to work with the "proletariat" we talked about so much (while they waited for the
"revolution).
It soon became evident that the "proletariat" was a very diverse, inclusive group: all of them the victims of a society and
culture that was not conducive to people realizing their basic human potential, let alone anything beyond that. Working
with them became my "niche" in life.
As well, I remained professionally involved in training future counsellors, and facilitating groups consisting of some of
the worst victimized people of our society.
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