Looking forward to speaking with you in person about this, Frederik. A teacher of mine, Marcus Weston, once told me that there's a "period of disappearance" where you're in between two systems and you know that the old system no longer works for you but you haven't fully embraced the new system. I'm not expressing it properly but that idea of going through a period of disappearance certainly described it well for me. It's very disorienting, and I would say it lasted for several years, maybe a decade, where I felt pretty lost and almost at war with myself at times. For me, at a certain point, there was just a deep sense of letting go and trusting the process. There's a kind of slow-motion awakening of something new that's activated in a very mysterious way, and it feels like all of these forces are helping you along -- books, teachers, strangers, situations that teach you important lessons etc. As the Zohar says, "there are many helpers." So, even though it seems like a dark night of the soul, it's actually probably the opposite of that -- a kind of dawning of light. In retrospect, I think you look at the periods when you (or I, at least) felt maximally lost in the dark and it feels like you were being blessed.
Beautiful - thank you for this piece. I was not around for your old paradigm, but whatever shift is going on - know I'm here for it.
I recently wrote a piece about what I was trying to do with my Substack, it felt like me, not the mask. I have been on quite the journey of darkness, to put it in these terms, for some time now. While that is a story in and of itself, it led me to Substack, here, reading this piece - captivated and attention drawn to every word and image - you created meaningful art.
I've learned that in the darkness, attention is the principle of orientation, and it led me here. Thank you for the reminder, and from one explorer of the darkness (unconscious may be accurate here too) to another; I wish the best of luck to you and am here for whatever this turns into, as my attention demands.
"That which you need most, will be found where you least want to look."
That was beautifully written. Any friend of Jed is a friend of mine. Let go of the tiller, see where life takes you. Ask who am I and see how deep you can comfortably take that question.
I was trying to make myself write in my book this morning, but I'm glad I opted to stall by cleaning my inbox—reading your post was very much what my soul needed today. I'm very much smack dab in the middle between 2 systems as William Green shared below and had started losing sight of the meaning of this chapter, and had thus stopped sifting for the gold. Thanks much for what you share in general and particularly today
I love your pieces Frederik. I have tried to write you privately in the past but all is clearer to me now. No need to wear another mask. I find myself deeply (in the closest possible term) with your words, your feelings, your reflections. The wise man after all, is the one who has been wrong many times, but it is inevitable during a life's journey. Introspective work is a time everyone comes to and it is not madness: not by a long shot it is! I will continue to follow you on your wonderful journey without knowing where it will take us, because it is right that it should. Heraclitus said, "Change is the only constant."
This is a spectacular piece, really resonated, please continue to share as many steps along the way as you like Frederick and whistle a tune for those whose who feel their torches flickering
Yeah touching essence will do that to ya. In a similar spot. Enjoying the ride, especially once I realized that I was on the path whether I liked it or not…
looking forward to tracking your journey, the value in sharing this perspective will far exceed the value a financial blog powerhouse would have created!
Looking forward to speaking with you in person about this, Frederik. A teacher of mine, Marcus Weston, once told me that there's a "period of disappearance" where you're in between two systems and you know that the old system no longer works for you but you haven't fully embraced the new system. I'm not expressing it properly but that idea of going through a period of disappearance certainly described it well for me. It's very disorienting, and I would say it lasted for several years, maybe a decade, where I felt pretty lost and almost at war with myself at times. For me, at a certain point, there was just a deep sense of letting go and trusting the process. There's a kind of slow-motion awakening of something new that's activated in a very mysterious way, and it feels like all of these forces are helping you along -- books, teachers, strangers, situations that teach you important lessons etc. As the Zohar says, "there are many helpers." So, even though it seems like a dark night of the soul, it's actually probably the opposite of that -- a kind of dawning of light. In retrospect, I think you look at the periods when you (or I, at least) felt maximally lost in the dark and it feels like you were being blessed.
“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going
I do not see the road ahead of me
I cannot know for certain where it will end
Nor do I really know myself
And the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean
That I am actually doing so
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road
Though I may know nothing about it
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death
I will not fear, for you are ever with me
And you will never leave me to face my perils alone”
Beautiful - thank you for this piece. I was not around for your old paradigm, but whatever shift is going on - know I'm here for it.
I recently wrote a piece about what I was trying to do with my Substack, it felt like me, not the mask. I have been on quite the journey of darkness, to put it in these terms, for some time now. While that is a story in and of itself, it led me to Substack, here, reading this piece - captivated and attention drawn to every word and image - you created meaningful art.
I've learned that in the darkness, attention is the principle of orientation, and it led me here. Thank you for the reminder, and from one explorer of the darkness (unconscious may be accurate here too) to another; I wish the best of luck to you and am here for whatever this turns into, as my attention demands.
"That which you need most, will be found where you least want to look."
Carl Jung
That was beautifully written. Any friend of Jed is a friend of mine. Let go of the tiller, see where life takes you. Ask who am I and see how deep you can comfortably take that question.
Thanks for everything you share! Keep going on your journey and of course please take us along as we hopefully reflect and evolve with you.
I had to revisit this a few times. Thank you for prompting much to reflect on.
Resonating with every line you wrote.
I was trying to make myself write in my book this morning, but I'm glad I opted to stall by cleaning my inbox—reading your post was very much what my soul needed today. I'm very much smack dab in the middle between 2 systems as William Green shared below and had started losing sight of the meaning of this chapter, and had thus stopped sifting for the gold. Thanks much for what you share in general and particularly today
I love your pieces Frederik. I have tried to write you privately in the past but all is clearer to me now. No need to wear another mask. I find myself deeply (in the closest possible term) with your words, your feelings, your reflections. The wise man after all, is the one who has been wrong many times, but it is inevitable during a life's journey. Introspective work is a time everyone comes to and it is not madness: not by a long shot it is! I will continue to follow you on your wonderful journey without knowing where it will take us, because it is right that it should. Heraclitus said, "Change is the only constant."
This is a spectacular piece, really resonated, please continue to share as many steps along the way as you like Frederick and whistle a tune for those whose who feel their torches flickering
This is wonderful
Loved it. Reminds me of similar thoughts I have been trying to process myself below
https://ranas9.substack.com/p/ivan-karamazov?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
https://ranas9.substack.com/p/alyosha-karamazov?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
Would love to catchup if you're up for it
... a time to gently close that door ..and then, a time to get off the beaten track.
Festina Lente, as the lovely Latin phrase reminds us. Be well.
Yeah touching essence will do that to ya. In a similar spot. Enjoying the ride, especially once I realized that I was on the path whether I liked it or not…
looking forward to tracking your journey, the value in sharing this perspective will far exceed the value a financial blog powerhouse would have created!
Been there. Done that. Get better and get stronger as possible. Catch you on the next letter.