this site is under active construction. feel free to browse around and see what’s new. expect for things not to work, links to be broken, and design to look wonky on various devices. thanks for visiting!
this site is under active construction. feel free to browse around and see what’s new. expect for things not to work, links to be broken, and design to look wonky on various devices. thanks for visiting!
dear Friend,
you are warmly invited into a space where all of life – every joy, every fear, every certainty, every doubt – is simply welcome to be as it is. no fixing. no healing. no becoming. just the simple recognition of what we already are.
this is an invitation to remember together. to rest in the awareness that holds everything, even as the world spins in apparent chaos. to touch that which remains unchanged. to recognize the unconditional peace that’s already here.
we gather in simple presence, letting Love meet us in whatever arises.
my experience is, when we gather in presence together, the world’s intensity naturally finds its place in the vastness of what we are. in my being, this feels so safe, restful, and nourishing.
you are warmly invited to accompany me and the rest of us in the Village.
with love,
in The Village, we gather in simple presence to remember our essential nature.
all of you is welcome. all of you – your messiness, your stress, your overwhelm, your fear, your joy, your grief, your sense of being lost or alone, your celebrations, your magic, your darkness, your tears, your collapse, your sovereignty – all of it. you are invited to bring it all, and allow it to be held.
through guided practice and shared silence, we touch the depths of Love and Peace that remain unchanged by internal or external turbulence.
this is not a:
this is simply: being together in the recognition of what we are. consciousness meeting itself in various forms. Love remembering love. Peace experiencing peace.
the space remains open for all between gatherings for connection and reflection via written posts, comments, and sharing.
monthly contributions help offset expenses and support my work.
please choose whatever contribution matches your financial circumstances. there is no difference in access.
clicking any of the buttons above will take you to the login and payment page. You’ll also be invited to share your reflections on 5 questions which support Steve in shepherding the space with safety and Love.
if your finances are abundant and you wish to offer more, please reach out to me to set up arrangements.
the Village does not conform to capitalistic norms with an objective focus and promised outcome. what you experience is entirely up to you. if and how being in this space transforms you is dependent only upon you.
what we do here is gather together to be safely held in the presence of love. this stands in stark contrast with what many experience in their day-to-day lives.
Steve’s lived experience is that intentionally stepping into more love, not less – all-ways💜™ – especially within the amplified field that’s created in community – is relentlessly nourishing, centering, clarifying, and grounding. you may (or may not) have a similar experience.
absolutely.
if you wish to cancel, you may do so at any time, and your current month’s contribution is yours if you would like it back. just send a message. no questions asked.
sort of.
since you’re welcome to a refund if this isn’t what you need (see previous question), technically speaking, you can participate for a full month with no financial risk.
you’re welcome to give it a try and taste what it’s like to step into a space that offsets the chaos and overwhelm of life.
discounts are reflected in the pricing structure above. please choose what is most resonant with your financial picture.
at this time we do not have capacity to generally offer scholarships and complimentary access.
memberships are intended to be for individuals.
if one of you plans to participate and the other will not actively participate (sharing in live calls, posting, commenting) then how you share your access is your business and I totally respect and support that.
however, if both of you plan to post, comment, and/or participate actively in any way, it’s requested that each individual have their own, unique presence in The Village with their own paid membership.
not at all. this space welcomes you exactly as you are, with whatever experience you bring.
presence isn’t a skill we need to learn or a state we need to achieve – it’s what we already are, simply remembering together. whether you’ve never meditated or have decades of practice, whether spirituality is new to you or deeply familiar, your natural way of being is welcome here. we’re not trying to get anywhere or become anything – we’re simply creating space to notice what’s already true.
Steve pulls from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences as he leads practices. wome are geared for those who are brand new, others are styled to meet the needs of those who don’t think they know how or don’t like to meditate, some are tailored to the neurodivergent who have difficulty focusing, and some will be very deep and complex when you’re ready to go there.
each gathering has a simple, organic flow.
the weekly 15-minute gatherings are focused on simple presence practice.
the monthly hour-long gatherings include 20 minutes for optional sharing from the heart, followed by 40 minutes of deeper presence practice. there’s no agenda – we’re simply being together in awareness, attending to whatever arises. sometimes there’s silence, sometimes sharing, sometimes tears, sometimes laughter – all of it welcome in the space of presence.
the monthly hour-long session focused on nervous system health starts with a short nervous system practice, followed by 30 minutes of teaching, sharing, or Q&A, followed by 15 minutes of a nervous system practice.
never. your silent presence is complete and perfect exactly as it is. while there’s space for sharing during monthly gatherings if you feel moved to, there’s absolutely no expectation or requirement to speak. many find deep nourishment simply resting in shared presence without words. your way of being here – whether in silence or speech – is absolutely welcome.
Steve / the Village is not affiliated with, and does not advocate for, any religious or spiritual tradition. while we use words like ‘presence’ and ‘awareness’, we’re simply pointing to the direct experience of what we already are – that which is here before any beliefs, concepts, or traditions. you don’t need to adopt any particular beliefs or practices. whether you identify as spiritual, religious, atheist, or none of these – your authentic way of being is welcome here. we’re meeting in the awareness that precedes all traditions and beliefs, that which is naturally present in all of us regardless of our background or beliefs.
Steve holds ideas such as Love, the Divine, God, Presence, Awareness, Consciousness, etc. as one and the same thing. He pulls from his background as an ordained minister, as well as his Sufi background, along with Buddhism, and many other faith traditions. none of this is intended to be doctrine, dogmatic, or religious.
some practices, such as Remembrance, which comes from the Sufi path uses references to “the Divine” and Steve uses the name Allah during this practice – not as a reference to some ethereal being, but to Awareness, Consciousness, Love, Oneness, Presence, etc.
you are welcome to “translate” or redefine any uncomfortable terms used into language that suits you.
here in The Village, we welcome all of your experience, exactly as it is.
your emotions – whether tears, fears, anger, confusion, joy, or anything else – are welcome here without needing to be fixed, changed, or made ‘better’.
there’s profound magic in simply being allowed to be exactly as you are, held in loving presence. if you’re having a hard day, you don’t need to put on a brave face or try to be different. let yourself be met exactly where you are. sometimes the most powerful medicine is simply being witnessed in our raw, real experience without anyone trying to change it. this is a core principle.
yes, all calls are recorded and available to members.
while there’s something uniquely powerful about gathering together in live presence, we understand that life doesn’t always allow for attending every call. the recordings are available if you need to miss a gathering or if you’d like to revisit a particular practice. that said, this isn’t content to ‘catch up on’ or feel behind with – each recording is simply another invitation to presence, available when it serves you to engage with it.
the weekly gatherings are shorter, focused 15-minute presence practices – like a brief pause to remember and reconnect with our essential nature. these provide a consistent touchstone of presence throughout the month.
the monthly gatherings are longer (one hour), offering more spaciousness for both practice and optional sharing. these longer gatherings allow us to settle more deeply into presence together, with time for authentic expression if moved to share.
both types of gatherings serve the same purpose – remembering and resting in the greater reality of Love – just in different rhythms and depths.
that is entirely dependent upon how many Villagers are available to attend.
rather than focus on specific numbers, we try to bring our heart to the quality of presence we share. our gatherings maintain an intimate feeling that allows for deep connection and genuine presence. whether two people or twenty are present, what matters is the field of awareness we create together. this isn’t about quantity but quality – the depth of presence we bring and share. each session naturally finds its right size for genuine connection and presence.
absolutely yes. your natural way of being is completely welcome here.
need to move, rock, stim, fidget? please do.
need your camera off sometimes or all the time? that’s perfectly fine.
need to lie down or change positions? of course.
whatever the reason, we honor that bodies need what they need. there’s no requirement to sit still, maintain eye contact, smile, or present yourself in any particular way. your authentic expression of presence – however that looks – is welcome here.
being neurodivergent myself, I deeply understand the importance of being able to be natural in your way of being present. I, too, sometimes need to do all of these things, even if I’m leading the call.
yes, absolutely.
there’s no minimum commitment or attendance requirement. while consistent practice can help develop a deeper relationship with presence, this isn’t about creating obligations or shoulds. your presence is welcome whenever it naturally arises. if you need to step away for a while and return later, that’s perfectly fine. the space remains open and welcoming, without judgment about how you engage with it. trust your natural rhythm of participation.
not at all. we’re not working with complex concepts or teachings that need to be understood intellectually. we’re simply noticing what’s already here, already true in your direct experience.
you can’t do this wrong because you already are what we’re pointing to. while the language might sometimes be unfamiliar, the experience itself is completely natural and accessible. there’s nothing to achieve, understand, or figure out.
the different payment levels ($20, $40, $80) all provide exactly the same access and experience. the choice is entirely based on your financial circumstances and what feels aligned for you.
if funds are tight, choose the lower tier.
if you have more financial flexibility and feel moved to contribute more, choose a higher tier.
there’s no difference in what you receive – this is simply about making the space accessible while honoring the practical reality of maintaining it.
trust yourself to choose what feels right for your situation. you’ll also be able to switch between levels as you desire.
that very draw you feel, even with the uncertainty, is worth trusting.
you don’t need to figure it out mentally or be sure about anything.
if something in you resonates with this invitation to presence, that’s enough.
you’re welcome to join and discover for yourself how it feels to be in this space.
with the monthly subscription and refund policy, you’re free to explore without pressure or long-term commitment.
let your heart guide you rather than trying to be certain.
the Village is uniquely focused on simple presence, without an agenda or attachment to a specific outcome.
unlike therapy, we’re not working to solve problems or heal trauma (though healing may naturally occur within you, and problems may melt away – you get the credit for that, not us).
unlike coaching, we’re not setting goals or working toward measurable outcomes.
unlike many spiritual groups, we’re not studying teachings or working toward enlightenment.
we’re simply providing a container within which to rest in awareness together, to remember the greater reality of Love.
the power is in the simplicity – just being together in the amplified field of presence, allowing everything to be exactly as it is and attending to what arises with compassion.
these are important and complex questions that deserve a thoughtful response.
safety is deeply personal – only you can define and determine what feels safe for your system. while I am trauma-informed and hold this space with deep sensitivity to trauma, I encourage you to trust your own knowing about what serves you. if you choose to join us, you’re always free to engage in whatever way feels sustainable for your nervous system – whether that’s keeping your camera off, leaving when you need to, or participating only in ways that feel manageable for you.
as for healing – while many find that resting in presence can be deeply supportive of their healing journey, we make no claims about healing as a direct outcome of this work. healing is your journey, arising from your own wisdom and timing. I hold no role as healer, teacher, or guide. this is simply a space to be together in presence, allowing whatever arises to be as it is.
I refer to the role I play in the Village as a “shepherd” because I lovingly tend to and nurture the Village with integrity and care. as a Steward, I safeguard the essence of this space, honoring its purpose while inviting others to fully belong.
we all are responsible to cultivate connection, ensure harmony, and hold the container for meaningful engagement, and we all share in the welcoming, witnessing, and walking alongside each other.
if you’re currently working with a therapist or other support person, I encourage you to check in with them about whether this kind of space feels supportive for your current needs. you know yourself best – trust that knowing.
I did (and do) offer business coaching, and there is room for anything that you wish to bring to The Village – including business questions. however, this is not the objective or focus of what we do here – it is not a business development community.
at the same time, business is a part of our experience, an expression of Love, and so, of course, there is space for business stuff to arise and be held here too. as mentioned – bring all of you, because all of you is welcomed – including your business.
Steve Mattus and ∞actualinfinity are anti-racism, support Black Lives Matter Grassroots, AAPI, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities, is pro-Trans, and renounce all forms of violence.
The information in the footer is meant only to inform you of where I stand on issues I consider important. It has no bearing on my qualifications or worthiness as a practitioner or business owner.
∞actualinfinity is located in Shikaakwa – the Algonquin name for Chicago – which is on the traditional unceded homelands of the Ojibwe, Kiikaapoi, Bodéwadmiakiwen (Potawatomi), Myaamia, Hoocak (Ho-Chunk), and Peoria indigenous tribes and people, which was violently stolen and colonized from them.
