This is Karl Stott. I recently experienced the darkest night of the soul I’ve ever had, it was an experience I could maybe compare to Job, but not as extreme, the comparison being that I had everything taken from me, but by the grace and mercy of God, it was restored back to me. I have never ever been so constantly grateful for every single moment in my whole 48 years of existence. Your writings are powerful as usual Shiv and always resonate. How you have the courage every week to lay yourself bare on sub stack is incredible and you inspire countless people, give yourself some credit Bro!!
Ah, Shiv. It's incredibly beautiful how you write about this. I so fully get this....
Yes, Presence, no single thing taking up the smallest nook as separate: It IS the healing, IS compassion, a remembrance, home. And presence IS, a relief and good news….before the mind captures what is happening and creates separation from fear. It’s so clear.
Courage then, until courage is no longer needed.
Compassion seems in general such a sticky, misunderstood concept.
And from the little I read here, you spill over with real compassion and courage anyways. Really. This too is true.
I love the image of the flowering into the heart's own readiness, a tenderness where not even space needs to be held any longer by someone. Effortless, for the path itself to be this too, tender.
Thank you so much! A gift to reflect with this morning.
This was a very beautiful read. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. I’d say humility is on the other side of the coin of compassion, it holds somewhat similar fragrance.
Thank you, Shiv, for the bravery of your vulnerable and humble sharing.
There may be another element to consider, this being the possibility of getting in touch with an inherent friendliness of life that includes everything and goes all the way down. The spiritual training camp called planet Earth has had many students and some have developed a different view, and to me it doesn't feel like bypass. "To me nothing ever happens. There is something changeless, motionless, immovable, rock-like, unassailable; a solid mass of pure being-consciousness-bliss. I am never out of it. On your side there is so much trouble. On mine there is no trouble at all." -Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
My own experience is that the expansive light experienced in deep meditation can actually be worked with to subtly influence the physical world, always in a direction of beneficence or grace.
Such vulnerability and courage are also my weaknesses right now. It’s so tempting and instinctive to try to trick myself into being and seeming strong, competent, and effortless. This is very inspirational. Thank you Shiv.
I vastly prefer this honesty over all the supposed zen masters pretending they have all the answers so they can sell you something. The rampant commercialization of something as sacred as spiritual learning deeply saddens me. You are one of the good ones, Shiv.
Gracias querido amigo. Has atravesado lo profundo de mi corazón con una espada de doble filo: coraje y compasión. Gracias por esa humildad y honestidad que nos hace sentir la profundidad del camino compartido. Gracias siempre. 🙏🏼 Y aún así … seguimos abiertos.
Shiv, I wonder if there is any connection to grieving (returning to the Now) and compassion? Does a 'broken' heart become a more expansive heart? What is the balancing polar opposite of compassion? Is there such a thing as "fierce compassion"?
I don’t know, I was just following your lead when you took us to the wake of a young suicide victim and introduced us to the minister who impressed you with her depth of compassion, holding space for the group acceptance of such seemingly random tragedy.
“For to be human is to inhabit an endless dichotomy.
Between pleasure and pain.
Between body and mind.
Between light and shadow.
Between love and loss.”
You shared with us that you sense you are somehow lacking in compassion and it seems to me you are yearning to embody the power of compassion and presence you witnessed in the minister. Why did you take us there? Why did this sad acknowledgment of death seem so meaningful to you? Your subconscious, your soul took you and us on this journey. Why?
That was an amazing piece of writing, I had to ask myself a few times "how do they know me so well?". The path of love, empathy, compassion is difficult for me as my mind revels in wisdom but hesitates when it comes to acting from the heart. My mind want's to own everything, put everything into neat little categories - while my heart just wants to give, to share, to love.
This is Karl Stott. I recently experienced the darkest night of the soul I’ve ever had, it was an experience I could maybe compare to Job, but not as extreme, the comparison being that I had everything taken from me, but by the grace and mercy of God, it was restored back to me. I have never ever been so constantly grateful for every single moment in my whole 48 years of existence. Your writings are powerful as usual Shiv and always resonate. How you have the courage every week to lay yourself bare on sub stack is incredible and you inspire countless people, give yourself some credit Bro!!
Ah, Shiv. It's incredibly beautiful how you write about this. I so fully get this....
Yes, Presence, no single thing taking up the smallest nook as separate: It IS the healing, IS compassion, a remembrance, home. And presence IS, a relief and good news….before the mind captures what is happening and creates separation from fear. It’s so clear.
Courage then, until courage is no longer needed.
Compassion seems in general such a sticky, misunderstood concept.
And from the little I read here, you spill over with real compassion and courage anyways. Really. This too is true.
I love the image of the flowering into the heart's own readiness, a tenderness where not even space needs to be held any longer by someone. Effortless, for the path itself to be this too, tender.
Thank you so much! A gift to reflect with this morning.
Thank you for your words. I am as grateful for my readers comments as they are for my essays
This was a very beautiful read. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. I’d say humility is on the other side of the coin of compassion, it holds somewhat similar fragrance.
Thank you, Shiv, for the bravery of your vulnerable and humble sharing.
There may be another element to consider, this being the possibility of getting in touch with an inherent friendliness of life that includes everything and goes all the way down. The spiritual training camp called planet Earth has had many students and some have developed a different view, and to me it doesn't feel like bypass. "To me nothing ever happens. There is something changeless, motionless, immovable, rock-like, unassailable; a solid mass of pure being-consciousness-bliss. I am never out of it. On your side there is so much trouble. On mine there is no trouble at all." -Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
My own experience is that the expansive light experienced in deep meditation can actually be worked with to subtly influence the physical world, always in a direction of beneficence or grace.
Beautifully said, Shiv. Thanks for having the courage and compassion to share your journey with us.
Such vulnerability and courage are also my weaknesses right now. It’s so tempting and instinctive to try to trick myself into being and seeming strong, competent, and effortless. This is very inspirational. Thank you Shiv.
I vastly prefer this honesty over all the supposed zen masters pretending they have all the answers so they can sell you something. The rampant commercialization of something as sacred as spiritual learning deeply saddens me. You are one of the good ones, Shiv.
I see great clarity and heart in your writing.
Shiv, thank you for this deep and honest sharing. Remaining open; such a great description
Gracias querido amigo. Has atravesado lo profundo de mi corazón con una espada de doble filo: coraje y compasión. Gracias por esa humildad y honestidad que nos hace sentir la profundidad del camino compartido. Gracias siempre. 🙏🏼 Y aún así … seguimos abiertos.
Shiv, I wonder if there is any connection to grieving (returning to the Now) and compassion? Does a 'broken' heart become a more expansive heart? What is the balancing polar opposite of compassion? Is there such a thing as "fierce compassion"?
John - I’m not sure I fully understand the question. Would you be able to rephrase or clarify what you mean?
I don’t know, I was just following your lead when you took us to the wake of a young suicide victim and introduced us to the minister who impressed you with her depth of compassion, holding space for the group acceptance of such seemingly random tragedy.
“For to be human is to inhabit an endless dichotomy.
Between pleasure and pain.
Between body and mind.
Between light and shadow.
Between love and loss.”
You shared with us that you sense you are somehow lacking in compassion and it seems to me you are yearning to embody the power of compassion and presence you witnessed in the minister. Why did you take us there? Why did this sad acknowledgment of death seem so meaningful to you? Your subconscious, your soul took you and us on this journey. Why?
Thank you for that clarity, John. I've taken the liberty of combining the questions and have written a response in the form of my latest post
🙏 thank you so much Shiv.
Thank you, Shiv. Your words continue to resonate. 🫶
Dear Shiv,
Beautiful piece.
Thank you for your wisdom and clarity.
I wish you success on your journey towards greater courage.
Much love,
Myq
Thx for sharing Shiv.
Some years ago I made a youtube message about the courage to open your hart.
Courage in French/ you can look and share it here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGnYSTe-Stc
That was an amazing piece of writing, I had to ask myself a few times "how do they know me so well?". The path of love, empathy, compassion is difficult for me as my mind revels in wisdom but hesitates when it comes to acting from the heart. My mind want's to own everything, put everything into neat little categories - while my heart just wants to give, to share, to love.