Meet Edgar Fabián Frías

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Edgar Fabián Frías a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Edgar Fabián, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
In many ways, I feel like my purpose found me. It came to me in moments of silence. In moments of confusion and disorientation. In special moments when all the hairs on my arms stood up and I could feel something important and life-changing was happening. I am called to share a night I had when I was studying abroad. It was my last year in undergrad and I decided to spend it abroad in England studying art at the University of Leeds in Northern England. I had gone out drinking with friends earlier that day and went to bed at around midnight. I was woken up by the sounds of loud drums in my ears and I stood up disoriented and confused. I kept hearing the words “shaman shaman shaman” repeating over and over again in my mind. I managed to pull myself out of bed and wrote the word down on a scrap piece of paper I had on my messy desk: “SHAMAN.” I was confused at first and remember asking myself: “What does this have to do with me, I’m in an art program?!” I now know that this was my ancestors coming to me in a moment of liminal awareness. I am a dreamer and a diviner. And my ancestors knew that they could share my purpose with me at this time. I have been called to be someone who re-unites disciplines that have only been separated by the colonial west. I exist within the realms of dance, performance, divination, healing, ceremony, creativity, and more. It’s taken me some time and a lot of trusting and re-orienting to arrive at this place, but I am so grateful to have received this message at such a critical time in my life.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m someone who thrives on wearing multiple hats and embracing diverse roles in life. I’m fortunate to make a living as both an artist and a psychotherapist, and I juggle various other responsibilities in between.

For almost two years, I’ve been practicing as a Holistic Somatic Psychotherapist, specializing in working with artists, actors, musicians, writers, and creative individuals. I also cater to those who identify as highly sensitive and neurodiverse, offering individual therapy through Telehealth for California residents. Drawing from my extensive experience as both a therapist and a practicing artist, I provide consultations to support creatives and clinicians worldwide in navigating their artistic or therapeutic journeys. I’m excited to announce that I’ll soon be launching a therapy group specifically tailored to artists.

My art practice is multidisciplinary and takes me to various corners of the world. I’m frequently invited to showcase my art in museums, galleries, universities, nonprofits, and businesses. I also serve as a visiting artist and educator, sharing insights about my art and creative processes. Additionally, I’m featured in exhibitions, art fairs, and biennials. My art spans various forms, including installations, video art, performances, public art, and ceremonies. I also share my art online through GIFs, videos, memes, virtual workshops, and more. My artistic interests lie in exploring the intersections of Latinx art, internet subcultures, queer aesthetics, generative art, glitch, and Indigenous Futurism.

Currently, I’m curating an exhibition in collaboration with BAAITS (Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits) and The Golden Dome School, focusing on sovereign spiritual visions by contemporary Indigiqueer artists. The exhibition is set to launch before the end of 2023. In early 2024, I have the honor of having a solo exhibition at the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three important qualities and skills that have shaped my journey are:

1. **Deep Listening**: One of the most crucial qualities I’ve cultivated is the art of listening. This involves listening to myself – understanding my desires, fears, hopes, and visions for the future. It also extends to listening to the world around me – the Earth, the animals, the plants, as well as to the messages from friends, loved ones, and other realms. Through deep listening, I’ve learned that inspiration is always present if you’re patient. The Universe is in constant communication, reminding me that I’m never truly alone; I’m always in a relationship with someone or something.

2. **Faith and Trust in Unfolding**: This quality didn’t come naturally to me initially; I had to nurture it over years of trial and error, with the help of therapy and by witnessing how things often magically come together, leading to profound knowledge, wisdom, and personal growth. This deep trust has been my anchor during moments of uncertainty and the unknown. Even when my leaps of faith caused concern in my loved ones, deep down, I knew I would be okay.

3. **Energy Work, Magic, Prayer, and Witchcraft**: The third quality or skill that intertwines with the others is my engagement in energy work, magic, prayer, and witchcraft. These practices are embodied and relational, helping me connect more deeply with myself, the Earth, and those around me. As a practitioner of these arts, I’ve learned that I can reclaim my power and take action when faced with stagnation or confusion. I have a toolkit to turn to, including divinatory practices like tarot and obsidian scrying, sacred rituals, ceremonies, and spells. In moments of distress, anger, or hopelessness, I can return to my inner wisdom and inner strength, forging new paths. I can clear away energies, thoughts, or feelings that are not mine and get clearer on what I believe or, at times, what I am hoping to be able to believe in the near future. I have witnessed profound miracles and changes in my own life. It is the reason I share so openly and excitedly about these practices as they have fully changed me and the world I exist in.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is someone who possesses creativity, intuition, and a heightened sensitivity, and who yearns for a deeper connection with themselves and the profound existential and spiritual aspects of their life. These individuals often feel a calling to embrace their purpose but might grapple with fear, a sense of being lost, or uncertainty about how to navigate the path toward their full flourishing.

I create a nurturing, inviting space for profound contemplation and reflection. Over the years, I’ve assisted countless individuals in healing from past traumas, rewiring their neural pathways, and rediscovering their inner wisdom. My approach heavily incorporates mindfulness practices, often involving the integration of the person’s body into our discussions. I may encourage you to slow down and pay attention to the sensations you’re experiencing as you share your thoughts. You can also expect me to inquire about the emotions you’re feeling and encourage you to explore the thoughts and memories that arise during our therapeutic process.

My ideal clients are those who value self-reflection and are comfortable engaging in this process within the context of a therapeutic relationship. They are individuals who genuinely aspire to work on themselves, pursuing their dreams and goals with dedication and passion.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
TW Fine Art. Memo Atken. Impart Photography. Gabriel Noguez. Isabel Beavers. Josh Vasquez. Duncan Sinfield. Edgar Fabián Frías.

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