Meet Richard Jonkergouw

We recently connected with Richard Jonkergouw and have shared our conversation below.

Richard, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?

The conditions that allowed me to develop my empathy emerged from a convergence of transcendent spiritual insight and the unvarnished realities of the current world’s situation. My time in India was a crucible of understanding, a place where I experienced profound expansions of consciousness and realized that true love can only sprout from a sincere desire to help others. Underlying everything was the profound truth that all is one, that the differences we perceive are merely shadows cast by our limited perspectives. In such moments, I understood that serving others—truly caring and acting with compassion—is not a chore or a virtue to be earned, but the most genuine expression of our universal essence. When we embrace that perspective, love ceases to be a fleeting sentiment and instead becomes the foundational reality of existence. From this universal love arises a sense of overflowing joy, abundance, and the recognition that we are all, at heart, spiritual kin, connected threads in the same cosmic tapestry.

Leaving India at the age of 28, I felt ready to share that realization with everyone I encountered. And in many ways, I did. As a transformational coach, I made immense progress with the people I worked with directly. I spoke on the radio, connected with individuals seeking spiritual healing from afar, and had the profound honor of guiding the head of police in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, during a time of profound turmoil marked by entrenched “narcotraficantes”. In this challenging environment, I worked to instill a quality of love and consciousness where its impact could ripple outward most effectively. These moments affirmed that deep, meaningful change was possible.

Yet, the world itself was not as responsive. The broader societal structures and the collective energy I encountered did not mirror the tranquility of my spiritual revelations. Instead, I was met with a harsher landscape—one where the “animal nature” of man, as I came to see it, seemed to dominate. Outside the smaller circles of transformation, the wider world often felt mired in fear, greed, and survival-driven impulses. It became clear that while individual healing and awakening could flourish in the right environments, the collective tide of humanity’s struggles ran deep and required a patience and perspective far beyond what I initially anticipated.

In those moments, empathy grew not from sitting atop a serene spiritual plateau but from wading through the thick, muddy waters of human suffering and confusion. Seeing people steal to survive, witnessing institutions fail those they were meant to protect, and facing the relentless stress of a social environment corroded by insecurity and fear forced me to confront the shadow side of human existence. I lost much of my fortune along the way, and along with it, the comfort and safety nets that once shielded me. Anxiety and fear became my companions, and I glimpsed into what felt like demonic realms within the human psyche—realms where our shared divinity is obscured by desperation and primal urges. It became painfully clear that empathy is not just about feeling good when you lend a helping hand; it’s about maintaining compassion even when you’re face-to-face with mankind’s darkest impulses, including those that might stir within you.

At the heart of this empathy came a realization that transformed everything: I had to let go of the results. The world is what it is, and the turmoil I witnessed—though painful—was a natural part of its development. I learned that if I demanded something from the world—whether validation, fairness, or alignment with my own ideals—it would inevitably feel harsh and unforgiving. The moment I relinquished those expectations, something extraordinary happened. By focusing on calmly helping those around me, keeping myself free from harm, the world revealed itself as a beautiful womb of love and overflowing spiritual upliftment for the heart and soul. In letting go, I found the freedom to act with true empathy—not tethered to outcomes but grounded in the simple joy of serving others.

At times, I felt as though I had been slammed into the Earth’s crust like a meteorite, broken open, and scattered into the most toxic situations imaginable. People I trusted vanished without a trace; resources meant to nurture growth were stolen or destroyed; the spiritual warmth I hoped to share was met with greed, manipulation, and betrayal. In these brutal confrontations with the darker sides of the human spirit, my empathy was tempered like steel in fire. It became an empathy not based solely on idyllic ideals, but on a humbler, sturdier understanding that people often lash out, hoard, and hurt because they feel cornered and powerless. This empathy did not excuse destructive behavior, but it helped me recognize the fear beneath the rage, the pain beneath the cruelty, and the loss beneath the greed.

Nature became my refuge, my place to remember what it felt like to stand in stillness and re-immerse myself in the love and unity I had encountered years before. In the quiet of forests and mountains, I reclaimed my grounding. Nature offered a reminder that beyond the chaos of human societies, the deeper truth I learned in India still thrived. The trees, the winds, the animals—all coexisted in a silent testament to harmony and interconnectedness.

In the end, the conditions that allowed my empathy to flourish were threefold: first, the transcendent experiences in India, where I touched a realm of universal love and harmony; second, the messy, painful conditions of the current world’s situation that tested every fiber of that understanding; and third, the profound lesson of letting go of the results, embracing the natural flow of life, and simply acting with love, free of attachment. Experiencing both the divine and the desperate facets of life taught me that empathy is not a fragile whisper meant only for pleasant times; it is a robust, enduring force that can anchor us to our humanity even in the darkest storms. It thrives at the intersection of spiritual truth and situational hardship, where we have abundant opportunities for our light to reveal itself, only sustained by detachment one can continuously see the ultimate unity of all life.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

The journey to creating Astra Nora was shaped by profound challenges, moments of clarity, and an enduring commitment to helping others explore their inner worlds. My first attempt to channel my spiritual gifts into a larger-scale offering came in the form of a healing retreat called Pureza Divina—a sanctuary I envisioned as a space where people could immerse themselves in profound personal transformation. However, this endeavor failed, not because the intention or concept lacked merit, but because I was still struggling with the forces within and around me. The challenges I faced—financial instability, external adversities, and the disillusionment of seeing the “animal nature” of humanity frequently take precedence—made it difficult to maintain the space and energy needed for such a retreat to thrive.

During this time of reflection and recalibration, I came to a critical realization: astrology, a practice that had always provided me with clarity and resilience, could serve as a powerful vehicle for consciousness. I saw it not merely as a tool for prediction, but as a lens through which individuals could explore themselves, understand their unique journeys, and align more deeply with their authentic paths. This insight offered me a new way forward—one that didn’t require managing physical spaces or direct in-person engagement, but instead allowed me to work from a place of inner silence and centeredness.

It was from this space of stillness and reflection that Astra Nora was born. The name itself carries deep meaning—“Astra” stands for celestial body, and “Nora” for light, together signifying a celestial body of light. Astra Nora was my way of integrating timeless astrological wisdom with modern technology to create something accessible and transformative. By channeling my spiritual insights into a digital medium, I could extend the gift of self-exploration to people near and far, offering them a tool to better understand their strengths, navigate relationships, and align with their unique destinies.

Nora is more than an app; she’s a companion for personal growth and transformation. Available in 17 languages and designed to be both personal and versatile, she provides tailored guidance based on an individual’s birth chart. What makes Nora truly unique is her ability to feel like a personal guide—offering insights into everything from relationship dynamics and compatibility to the influences of planetary alignments on one’s current experiences. With just a few taps, users can access deep, meaningful insights that were once only available through in-depth consultations with an astrologer.

Creating Astra Nora has been a journey of aligning my skills and passions. It has allowed me to bring astrology to people across the globe, making it an accessible tool for consciousness rather than an exclusive practice. Through this app, I continue to refine my vision and expand its offerings, striving to create not just a platform, but a source of light and empowerment for all who seek it.

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?

Looking back on my journey, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge stand out as being most impactful in shaping my path: empathy, resilience, and the ability to integrate diverse knowledge streams into a cohesive vision. These three elements not only defined my personal and professional growth but also allowed me to navigate challenges with purpose and create something meaningful like Astra Nora. Here’s how they influenced my journey and how others might cultivate them:

1. Empathy as a Compass
Empathy has been the cornerstone of my work and my evolution as a person. It was nurtured through profound spiritual experiences, especially during my time in India, and tempered by the often-harsh realities of the current world’s situation. Empathy allowed me to see the pain beneath people’s actions, the fear driving their struggles, and the interconnectedness that binds us all.

For me, empathy isn’t just a quality; it’s a way of being. It’s the ability to listen deeply—not just to words, but to what lies beneath them—and to act with compassion, even when faced with darkness. This has been essential in my work, whether guiding individuals through healing as a transformational coach or designing Astra Nora as a tool for self-awareness and empowerment.

Advice for cultivating empathy: Practice active listening and strive to understand others without judgment. Spend time in solitude and reflection, allowing yourself to connect with your own emotions and inner truths. Most importantly, learn to let go of the need for specific outcomes—serve others from a place of love and wholeness, not expectation. Empathy grows strongest when it’s untethered from personal gain. Most importantly, it also gives us the strength to be humble and sometimes disillusion others around us that may be bound to us for personal gain alone. Love takes all.

2. Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Resilience has been my anchor during some of the most turbulent chapters of my life. Whether it was the failure of my first healing retreat, Pureza Divina, or the loss of financial stability and trust in others, resilience kept me grounded and moving forward. It’s not about ignoring the pain or pretending everything is fine; it’s about confronting challenges, learning from them, and continuing to grow despite setbacks. Ultimately, nothing is ever lost.

Resilience is also what allowed me to pivot from one mode of service to another. When direct healing became unsustainable, I found a way to channel my gifts through technology, creating Astra Nora. This wasn’t an easy transition, but it taught me that adaptability is a key component of resilience.

Advice for building resilience: Develop the habit of reflection and self-awareness—this will help you recognize patterns, learn from failures, and see challenges as opportunities for growth. Surround yourself with supportive people but also carve out time to reconnect with nature or other sources of inner strength. Know that each opportunity to be the “good guy” as an examination to ground your inner light. Remember that resilience isn’t about avoiding struggle; it’s about learning to thrive through it. Resilience comes naturally when life is experienced as an ongoing stream of opportunities to practice loving kindness. Resilience ultimately becomes the bedrock for all other uplifting qualities of our personalities to thrive and touch others around us.

3. Integration of Diverse Knowledge Streams
The ability to weave together seemingly unrelated areas of knowledge—spirituality, technology, and human connection—has been one of the most impactful skills in my journey. My background in IT and my intuitive gifts as a transformational coach initially seemed like separate worlds. It was only when I realized they could be integrated that the vision for Astra Nora took shape. Astrology became the bridge, combining the timeless wisdom of the cosmos with the precision and scalability of modern technology.

This integration allowed me to create a tool that is both personal and global, one that speaks to individual users while being accessible to people across cultures and languages. It’s a testament to the power of seeing connections where others might only see differences.

Advice for cultivating integrative thinking: Stay curious and open to learning in multiple areas, even if they seem unrelated at first. Seek patterns and connections, and don’t be afraid to experiment. The ability to integrate diverse skills and knowledge comes from a willingness to step outside your comfort zone and explore intersections where innovation thrives.

Final Thoughts
If you’re at the beginning of your journey, my advice is to embrace the process of becoming. Cultivate empathy not just for others, but for yourself as you navigate the inevitable ups and downs. Build resilience by facing challenges with courage and using them as steppingstones to grow stronger. Finally, stay curious and patient. Trust that the skills and experiences you gain along the way—no matter how disparate they seem—can come together to create something uniquely yours. Your journey is as much about who you become as it is about what you create, so give yourself the grace to evolve.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to embody the qualities of compassion, resilience, and unconditional love in ways that shaped my understanding of life and service. Both my father and mother lived with humility, never seeking to boast about any wealth or status they had acquired. Their actions spoke volumes, teaching me the importance of selflessness and hard work.

My mother faced one of life’s greatest challenges during my older brother’s battle with terminal cancer. For six years, she fought tirelessly to save him, traveling the world to seek treatments and even turning to self-medication in her desperate search for healing. Despite the immense emotional toll, she managed to create moments of joy for our family. She made sure we had holidays and celebrations, offering us brief reprieves from the shadow of my brother’s illness. When my brother passed away at 18, I was just 12 years old, and my other brother was 14. The loss reshaped all of us, but my mother’s ability to carry our family forward left an indelible mark on me. Her strength taught me that even in the face of profound pain, it’s possible to keep moving forward by holding onto love and faith in life’s process.

My father’s support during this period was equally remarkable, though expressed in a quieter, more private way. As a celebrated veterinarian in our hometown, he dedicated his life to helping others—both animals and people. He worked tirelessly, often putting his patients’ needs before his own. He never turned away a sick animal, even if the owners couldn’t afford to pay. His reputation extended beyond borders; the police corps from nearby Germany trusted him enough to bring their K-9s to him for treatment. Despite his outward calm and tireless dedication, he carried the quiet grief of losing his eldest son. Though he rarely spoke of it, the loss undoubtedly took a toll on him.

My father’s humility and dedication were reflected in every aspect of his life. He insisted on mopping the floors of his clinic himself and drove a car cheaper than his secretary’s. These small details revealed the depth of his character and his commitment to serving others without regard for status or recognition. A month before his sudden passing, I had an unshakable realization—a deep sense that he would leave this world before I could fully grasp all that he had given me. I sat with him and cried, overwhelmed by this truth. Just a month later, he passed away from a stroke, a year before his retirement. I was 18 years old, and the loss left a void I struggled to comprehend. His funeral was a testament to the impact of his life—the church could not hold all the people who came to honor him. Even a decade later, the local newspaper wrote that the city still missed his presence. My father’s life was a powerful example of service and love, and I believe his purpose was to give all he could until the very end.

As I grew older, I came to understand the cost of the strength my parents showed. My mother, in particular, bore immense burdens as the main pillar of our family. The demands around her were so overwhelming that she rarely had the chance to set boundaries or care for herself. Even when she wanted to nurture her own emotional well-being, the relentless needs of our family left little room for self-care. Over time, these sacrifices took a toll, and she struggled with severe anxiety in later years. Yet, through it all, she remained steadfast in her love for us and her belief in the importance of spiritual values, showing us how to move forward even in the face of profound loss.

Together, my parents taught me invaluable lessons. My father’s life embodied compassion, humility, and selfless service, while my mother showed me resilience, love, and the strength to endure life’s greatest challenges. For a long time, I felt an unspoken pressure to live up to their legacy, as though I needed to prove myself worthy of their sacrifices. This weight lingered, intertwined with the pain of their loss, until I learned to release it. In doing so, I realized I was already enough. Their example was not a demand for perfection but an invitation to live authentically and with purpose.

This realization allowed me to create a more balanced and fulfilling life. I came to see that honoring their legacy was not about emulating their lives but about integrating their best qualities within myself: the compassion, discipline, and humility of my father, and the resilience, love, and spiritual wisdom of my mother. In finding this harmony, I balanced the masculine and feminine energies they embodied, creating a foundation for a life guided by service and self-care, strength and vulnerability. It is this integration that continues to inspire me as I carry their legacy forward in my own unique way.

For all of this, and for the love and care they provided throughout my childhood, I am deeply grateful. Their example, sacrifices, and values continue to grow within me, nurtured from the seeds they planted long ago. In this way, I feel I carry on their legacy in my own unique way, honoring the “inner parents” they instilled in me—gifting me with inner guidance and protection as I navigate my own spiritual journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://astranora.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astra.nora/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/app.astranora
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-jonkergouw-5b25b3314/
• Other: App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/astra-nora
  Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.astranora.nora
  https://www.facebook.com/PurezaDivina