Compassion and Presence

I've been on this journey for quite some time now. Call me a seeker, spiritual researcher, or even a personal growth addict (I’m jesting slightly). Along the way, I've delved into everything from meditation and shamanic ceremony to energy healing, somatic experiencing, spiritual dance, and psychedelics, whilst giving and receiving tons of therapy, and coaching. It's been a wild ride, filled with awe-inspiring experiences that have shaped my understanding of life and myself. Amidst this diverse mix, I've unearthed two fundamental ingredients that are essential to the process: compassion and presence. And the truth is, you can't truly have one without the other. 

I've been fortunate enough to experience a deep sense of connection three times in this lifetime, where compassion and presence were central. These moments have profoundly enriched my journey.

It ain’t heavy, it’s enlightenment!

The first time this profound connectedness struck me, I was just 5 years old, kneeling on the roof of my dad’s business partner's Range Rover with a soapy sponge in hand, scrubbing away on a scorching hot day. Despite the simplicity of the task, I was overcome with pure joy and a profound sense of connection. Whether it struck me suddenly or crept up gently, I felt intimately linked to the car, the sponge, the soap suds, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the air around me. It was as if an unseen force—an energy—was weaving me into the fabric of everything, and I knew in that moment that I was part of a greater whole. Some time later, running across a local dirt track, and looking through bushes to the vast fields beyond, I felt deep in my heart the truth of our interconnectedness—that we are all one. 

The second profound experience occurred in my early twenties while living in Manchester, UK, where I participated in an experiential leadership program. It was during a drama therapy exercise where I revisited a traumatic scene from my childhood when I suddenly felt not only connected to everything and everyone on the planet but also accountable for it. Not in a burdensome or fault-finding way, but in a profound realization of inseparability. Like invisible threads or a domino effect, my actions, words, secrets, humour, quirks, and behaviours all had impact. This awareness later extended into my acting career, where certain roles blurred the lines between character and self, a common experience for actors deeply immersed in their roles over time.

The third transformative experience came during a 3-day retreat known as The Enlightenment Intensive, or EI for short. Sitting face-to-face with a partner, contemplating profound questions such as "Who am I?" or “What is life?” for up to 16 hours a day (!), I had a breakthrough. In a moment of deep introspection, I perceived everything around me as a perfect entity that I was intricately part of. It was a glimpse of pure perfection in all its forms, sizes, and colours—an experience that defied my logical understanding of imperfection in the world.

These experiences have illuminated my path forward, emphasizing the importance of compassion and presence at every turn. They remind me that every moment offers an opportunity to embrace life with openness and awareness, even when it is difficult or can feel impossible to do so. I am very passionate about how we can stay curious rather than judgemental and dare to honour the interconnectedness that binds us all.

Here's to embracing life's journey with compassion and unwavering presence, one beautiful moment at a time.

Invitations:

As we know, it’s not always easy to be present or compassionate. Here are a few pointers to help you do just that:

• Explore your breath by following it with your attention – all the way in and all the way out. Then start to notice any feelings or sensations in the body and bring your attention there with as much acceptance and kindness as you can.
• Ask yourself the question: What would my heart say or do in this moment? And notice what arises.
• Before reacting to someone who has just annoyed or triggered you, take a breath and rather than focusing on what they are doing (or not doing!) notice what is happening in your own body (feelings and sensations)

Here is another resource to help you with compassion and presence : Liv’s Opening to Sensation Practice -Click at the top of the page to watch the video.

Originally published in August in my monthly series Liv Unearthed