Camille Adair

  • About
    • Testimonials
    • Bio & CV
    • Interviews
  • Services
    • How We Work Together
      • Systemic Family Constellation Work
      • Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence Coaching
      • End-of-Life Consult
  • Courses
    • Systemic Relational Family Constellation Facilitator Training
    • Solace Teachings End-of-Life Education Programs
      • Solace Teachings Essential Course
      • The Solace Teachings
    • EQ | Health : Emotional Intelligence Training
  • Solace
    • Watch the Solace Documentary
    • Buy the DVD
    • Cast and Crew
    • Solace—Wisdom of the Dying Quotes
  • Blog
  • Calendar
    • Constellation Facilitator Training 2019
  • Login
    • Member Area
You are here: Home / Emotional Intelligence / A Tribute to Stephen Levine: Mercy is the Power 1 of 3

A Tribute to Stephen Levine: Mercy is the Power 1 of 3

StephenLevineSolaceInterview

” Mercy is the power. Mercy is the power. In fact where there’s mercy, pain changes, concern for other sentient beings change. It’s the soil. Mercy is the soil in which compassion grows.”

– Stephen Levine (July 17, 1937 – January 17, 2016)

Quote from Solace: Wisdom of the Dying

I was fortunate to know Stephen Levine, American poet, author and teacher known for his work in death and dying. He and his beloved wife, Ondrea, graciously agreed to a video interview for my documentary, Solace: Wisdom of the Dying in 2004. His tender, loving messages have shaped my life and work and I dedicate the next three blog posts to him in honor of his life and recent death.

What is mercy and why was it so important to Stephen? The definition of mercy is “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” It is also “a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion” and “compassionate treatment of those in distress.”*

When Stephen spoke of mercy it was through supplication, like a prayer that one feels with their whole being. Sitting next to him I could feel mercy through him. The opposite of mercy is intolerance, greed, selfishness, and ill will, the shadow side of humanity. This is false power or power over another. So yes, mercy is the power, true power. To be merciful is to be vulnerable. To be vulnerable is to experience our humanity.

“Have mercy,” I find myself repeating as my right hand gently pats my chest. How often do we hold ourselves hostage with negative self-talk? Can we show mercy to others when we are harsh within? If mercy is the soil in which compassion grows then let us nourish, cultivate and harvest mercy, beginning with ourselves, so that we may live in a more humane and compassionate world.

~ Camille

*Merriam Webster Online Dictionary

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Filed Under: Emotional Intelligence, Health Care, Humanizing Health Care, Mindfulness

Comments

  1. Monika says

    December 20, 2020 at 2:03 PM

    I love and owe him so very much.

    ??♥️

    Reply
  2. Charles Horowitz, Ph.D. says

    December 20, 2020 at 6:22 PM

    Yes!

    Reply
  3. Dave Romero says

    January 29, 2023 at 6:50 PM

    Just add Power.
    Just add Mercy.

    Reply
    • Camille Adair says

      February 3, 2023 at 3:57 PM

      I like it, Dave!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • 3 Key Principles of Family Constellation Work
  • Can We Be Self-Aware Without Self-Care?
  • When We Die: A Tribute to Stephen Levine 3 of 3
  • Sweet Grief: A Tribute to Stephen Levine 2 of 3
  • A Tribute to Stephen Levine: Mercy is the Power 1 of 3

Search Form

Want to Connect?

Call or Text: (505) 470-3838

Email: camille [at] camilleadair.com

Let’s talk. Join me.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Upcoming Events

Upcoming 2019 … Find out what's happening

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Movie
  • Calendar
  • Contact
  • Affiliate Login

© 2008–2023 Camille Adair | Sacredigm Alliances, LLC