#55 ~ Jack Cody ~ Tattoo Artist & Owner of Twin Suns Tattoo

Episode of Seekers of the Eternal · November 18, 2024 · 54 min

Host Chris Parks talks with Durham tattoo artist Jack Cody about moving during the pandemic, fatherhood, manifestation, psychedelics, dreams, daily spiritual practice and tattooing with intention.

Summary

Chris Parks interviewed Jack Cody, a tattoo artist of roughly two decades and owner of Twin Suns Tattoo in Durham, North Carolina, whom he had known for nearly ten years. Cody described the COVID-19 pandemic as something that "happened for" him: his wife Ashley became pregnant with twins a month into the lockdowns, prompting the family to leave Los Angeles for North Carolina, where he spent the pregnancy caring for her and daily affirming his children's health in the woods. He explained that he built his shop crew by selecting people for their attitudes rather than technical skill, and recounted donating proceeds from tattooing a friend's donated flash to relief efforts for storm-affected communities in western North Carolina.

The pair discussed manifestation, which Cody traced to a free childhood and to heavy LSD and psilocybin use beginning at about 15. Cody said he consults admired figures by imagining their counsel, believing all things are connected, and reflected on whether dreams occur elsewhere. Parks shared teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda on the dream nature of the universe and of Michael Singer on handling small frustrations. Cody outlined his daily routine of walks, mudras, breathwork, gym sessions and listening only to mantras, as well as barefoot grounding with his sons and speaking intentions into water. He described a practice of blessing every passing driver that he found energetically draining, now reserving it for people he has had conflicts with; Parks recounted friends reporting that they felt his projected light.

Cody said he draws only with intention, using butterflies for freedom, snakes for knowledge, and flowers and skulls for life's duality, and treats every client like a longtime friend in an open studio. Reflecting on the death of his father-in-law, he said he aims to leave his children experiences and a positive way of navigating the world rather than money. Parks closed with a Yogananda passage on creating opportunity.

Chapters

0:00
Cold open and introduction
A preview of Cody's views on tattooing with intention, followed by Parks introducing Cody, his career and his shop.
2:58
Pandemic move and twins
Cody recounts learning of his wife's twin pregnancy during the pandemic and relocating from Los Angeles to North Carolina.
8:54
Origins of manifestation
Parks asks where Cody's intuitive manifestation practice came from and recalls a shared psilocybin experience.
10:34
Building Twin Suns Tattoo
Cody explains assembling a crew of artists chosen for kindness over technical skill.
14:08
Storm relief flash fundraiser
Cody describes tattooing donated flash to raise money and supplies for storm-hit western North Carolina.
17:30
Psychedelics and interconnection
Cody credits LSD and mushrooms with shaping his outlook and describes mentally consulting people he admires.
21:50
Dreams and Yogananda
The two discuss the nature of dreams, with Parks sharing Yogananda's teachings on the dream nature of reality.
25:58
Daily practices
Cody details walks, mudras, breathwork, mantras instead of music, and barefoot grounding with his sons.
34:35
Handling frustrations and sending blessings
Discussion of Michael Singer's teaching, road rage, and practices of blessing others and projecting light.
41:41
Art with intention and studio atmosphere
Cody explains the symbolism of his designs and how he treats clients as longtime friends.
48:19
Life as art and legacy
The pair discuss YouTube plans, art as a way of living, and Cody's reflections on legacy after his father-in-law's death.
51:45
Closing words
Cody urges listeners to spread love and Parks ends with a Yogananda quotation.

Key points

What was said, by whom, with the exact words. Timestamps jump to the moment.

Jack Cody
Cody views the pandemic as a positive turning point that moved him from Los Angeles to North Carolina, where he believes he belongs.
“Honestly, I think the pandemic happened for me. It's what took me from Los Angeles to North Carolina, where I'm supposed to be”
Listen from 3:26 · COVID-19 pandemic
Jack Cody
Cody says that during the pregnancy he went to the woods daily to repeat affirmations about his children, which he believes influenced their health.
“my kids are happy, healthy, brilliant, and beautiful repeatedly every single day”
Listen from 8:22 · Manifestation and goal setting
Jack Cody
Cody says he hires artists for their attitude rather than technical ability because skill can be taught but kindness cannot.
“I really try to pick people based on their attitudes and not their technical abilities because I really don't know how to teach people how to be nice”
Listen from 12:34 · Twin Suns Tattoo
Jack Cody
Cody recounts deciding to tattoo a friend's donated flash for storm relief rather than profit from it.
“i was like ding ding ding this is i'll just give this away i don't really want to profit off of it so it's perfect”
Listen from 15:47 · Hurricane Helene
Jack Cody
Cody attributes his manifestation ability to LSD and mushroom use that began in his teens.
“When I was about 15, I started taking a lot of LSD. And then I found mushrooms and got into that”
Listen from 17:36 · Psychedelic experiences
Jack Cody
Cody says that because everyone is connected, he consults successful people for business advice by imagining their guidance.
“I can just go in my mind and ask them in my mind. I don't have to go see them in person”
Listen from 19:58 · Manifestation and goal setting
Jack Cody
Cody says he listens only to mantras and prayers, even at the gym, to avoid others shaping his thinking.
“I don't really listen to other music because I don't want other people programming my mind”
Listen from 26:20 · Mudras
Jack Cody
Cody says that, inspired by a Native American belief, he walks barefoot outdoors with his sons daily to ground themselves.
“there's a Native American belief that shoes make you sick. So that's another thing I do every day is go outside with my sons without shoes on”
Listen from 30:48 · Grounding (earthing)
Linked moment · 38:27Skip to 38:27 using a listen link in the info box.
Jack Cody
Cody found that blessing every passerby drained his energy for days, so he now blesses only people with whom he has had conflict.
“Well, it turns out you can't do that all the time. You got to like, you can do it like two or three times”
Listen from 38:27 · Manifestation and goal setting
Jack Cody
Cody explains that his recurring motifs carry intended meanings: butterflies for freedom and snakes for knowledge.
“That's why I draw a shitload of butterflies. Because that represents freedom. And the snakes represent knowledge to me”
Listen from 43:02 · Tattooing
Jack Cody
Cody says he treats every client as an old friend, which he believes draws people to his studio.
“I'll also treat every single person as if we've been friends for 20 years”
Listen from 45:19 · Twin Suns Tattoo
Jack Cody
Cody says losing his father-in-law taught him that shared experiences, not money, are what endure.
“Money is not super important because they'll just spend it or someone else will take it”
Listen from 50:07 · Grief
Jack Cody
Cody says his main goal as a father is to give his sons a positive way of navigating the world rather than material inheritance.
“Really what I got to do is leave them with a way to navigate the world positively”
Listen from 51:09 · Fatherhood

People

In the conversation

Chris ParksSt. Petersburg, Florida-based painter and muralist who hosts Seekers of the Eternal under the name Palehorse
Jack CodyTattoo artist and owner of Twin Suns Tattoo in Durham, North Carolina

Discussed

Paramahansa YoganandaIndian yogi and author whose writings the host quotes at the episode's close
Michael SingerAmerican author of The Untethered Soul

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From the publisher

Jack Cody has been leaving his artistic mark on the skin of clients for nearly two decades. As the proud owner of Twin Suns Tattoo, a well-respected tattoo shop located in the heart of Durham, North Carolina, Jack has cultivated a reputation for his exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to his industry. With an extensive career that spans multiple states, Jack has tattooed his unique designs in Tennessee, Florida, New York, New Mexico, California, and his current home state, North Carolina. His portfolio is a testament to prolific drive. Beyond tattooing, Jack is a happy husband and loving father. He finds his inspiration not only in tattoo artistry but also in his lifelong passion for painting and drawing. His artistic journey began as far back as he can remember, and this creative foundation continues to shape his approach to everything he does. Jack's life philosophy revolves around the idea that "how you do anything is how you do everything." This commitment to excellence is evident in both his tattooing and his personal life. When he's not in the studio, he dedicates all his free time to traveling, spending time with his family, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime. And when the open road calls, you can often find him on his motorcycle, with his knees in tha breeze! | CONNECT WITH JACK CODY | https://www.instagram.com/tat2tattoo/ | TWIN SUNS TATTOO | https://www.twinsunsdurham.com/ | PALEHORSE OFFERINGS | https://palehorse.komi.io/ | MUSIC BY SOMA KIRTAN | https://www.instagram.com/soma_kirtan/

Summary, chapters and key points were generated from the episode transcript on October 25, 2026. Quotes are checked word for word against the transcript.

Categories: Spirituality·Visual Arts·Parenting