In the Beginning (Part 1)

Inner Realms Journey has its roots in the late 1990s with Aaron (founder of IRJ) as a teenager playing Dungeons & Dragons (a fantasy role-playing game) nearly every weekend with friends. He also developed a passion for reading fantasy literature, ancient history, and mythology. Around the year 2002, the founder of IRJ discovered meditation. Aaron’s years of developing his imagination through gaming were a powerful asset to unlocking the deeper layers of journey-style meditations. At the age of 18, Aaron dedicated his life to understanding the gifts of meditation and personal growth for his own transformation and to assist others ready to unlock their inner potential.

New Zealand (Part 3)

Several months later, at the beginning of 2020, Aaron found himself on an adventure in New Zealand. While in NZ, he had a “Lord of the Rings” day, traveling to some key sites related to the making of the movies (which were filmed in New Zealand). During this trip, the concept of the Inner Realms Journey platform was clarified for Aaron. He felt a deep calling that it was time to bring it to life. While walking through the Elven gateway in the filming location of Rivendell (the City of the Elves in Lord of the Rings), where the fellowship departed upon their quest to save the world, Aaron made his oath to build the Inner Realms Journey platform to help others become the best version of themselves. It all had come full circle for Aaron, his love of fantasy gaming, mythology, and meditation all began to synergize her in this magical place!

Norse Mythology, TedX, Lord of the Rings, & the Tree of Life (Part 2)

Throughout the years, Aaron was an avid fan of Lord of the Rings for the rich symbolism presented within this epic story. Through Lord of the Rings, Aaron became further intrigued by the ancient mythology of Northern Europe (aka Vikings/Norseman). Aaron began to see the points of connection between ancient mythology, personal transformation, and the entire fantasy genre. During a meditation in July of 2018, the concept of Inner Realms Journey, inspired by these ancient traditions, fantasy, and meditation styles, began to develop in Aaron’s imagination. However, the time was not yet…

Shortly after that, Aaron was asked to speak at TEDx Skyforest (near LA). It was a unique opportunity to give a talk in an outdoor arena surrounded by trees. Aaron delivered his talk “a Message from the Trees,” explaining humanity’s ancient interconnected nature with the trees, and the ancient Tree of Life symbolism that has been found in nearly every culture and tradition around the world.

The Quest Begins (Part 4)

Aaron returned to the USA from his NZ trip and immediately began the development of Inner Realms Journey. Many of Aaron’s friends and associates loved the concept and blended their skills and resources to initiate the development of IRJ. Through a series of connections, Aaron returned to New Zealand at the beginning of March to build Inner Realms Journey. Aaron felt IRJ should be born there in that special place. Little did he know that just days after his arrival, the great plague would come upon the Realm of Earth. His original two-month retreat to begin building Inner Realms Journey turned into a 13-month adventure! There in relative safety and calm from the storm raging around the world, he was able to build the foundations of IRJ. Many elements were inspired by the beautiful people and places of that land. He also got to explore many filming locations of Lord of the Rings. Read more about that here.