About
The Etherworks Mission
Cultivate a society of courageous, open-hearted individuals who embody their life's purpose for the benefit of all.
Richard's Life Coaching Philosophy
Richard's Alignment-centered coaching is predicated on the following:
Everyone has a calling, or purpose, for this life.
True excitement/bliss/peace arises when one is aligned (in being and action) towards this calling.
Throughout life, we adopt limiting beliefs, perspectives, and other measures designed to keep us safe. These safety measures impede expansion, and by extension, fulfillment of our purpose.
By shifting to a higher perspective, irrelevant safety measures can be recognized and made obsolete.
Once the shift occurs, alignment ensues.
When one is in alignment, they feel fulfilled, energized, balanced, and available.
Bio
Richard Pluim (M.Msc, MFA) provides coaching, workshops, and retreats for those who are eager to cultivate inner balance and holistically embody their highest potential.The context for Richard's coaching work is largely woven with expertise in the performing arts and devotion to spirituality.
Richard received an MFA in theatre at the California Institute of the Arts, where he learned to balance macro/micro awareness in execution through rigorous avant-guard conservatory training. The most consequential facets of his training were in voice, speech, and tai chi. Richard taught the Linklater Voice progression and Edith Skinner's Speech approach at such institutions as Debbie Allen Dance Academy, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and Florida State University.
His creative work in performance and direction span such venues as LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), Golden State Film Festival, Oaxaca Film Festival, Portland Film Festival, Southern California Shakespeare Festival, Carr Center Detroit, et. al.
His spiritual journey began with his evangelical christian up-bringing. Tai chi courses taken at CalArts sparked an interest in Buddhism, and in 2016 he spent three months dedicated to Soto Zen practice at Tassajara Zen Monastery in California. From 2021-2025 he focused on the teachings of Bentinho Massaro at Massaro University, an online spiritual school and community. Other influential teachers include Mooji, Eckhart Tolle, David R Hawkins, et. al.
Richard is an ordained minister and holds a Masters in Metaphysical Sciences, a seminary degree, from Sedona University. He is currently a doctoral candidate of theocentric psychology; his coming dissertation investigates surrender in various spiritual traditions and in the field of psychology.
He has applied key principles and perspectives of theatre, voice, spirituality, and coaching in various fields, including higher education, non-profits, small-business entrepreneurship, hospitality, and film production, providing life purpose guidance to those seeking it.
When he isn't working, Richard enjoys photography and sipping a glass of wine with his wife at their home in the Shenandoah Valley.