Bigger Love with Scott Stabile

Portugal Update: One room (as a single or double) just opened up for our November retreat in Portugal, so if you missed your chance because it sold out fast, then consider this your moment. Details here.

Detroit Folks: Live breathwork this Sunday the 23rd in Pleasant Ridge. Details here.

Other upcoming events listed below.

Hi Friends,

Coming at you from Shanghai, China, where I’ve been for the past week. There’s much to say about this city, but for know I’ll just share that I really like it here. I’m taken with the people, the vibe, the architecture and (some of) the food.

Before I adventure into the city on my last day here, I thought I’d share the above video with you. I recorded it four years ago when I was living in Santa Fe. If you’re feeling stuck, or resistant, or lost in some false notion that you are unworthy, not enough, less than, or other such nonsense (I swear it’s nonsense) then give the video a watch.

I find it helpful to remind myself that the energy that created all things is an energy coursing through my being too. It is an abundant, expansive, creative and wild energy, which means that when I connect to it I too am rooted in my capacity for abundance, expansion, creativity and wildness.

The limits we place on ourselves are not coming from this Source energy; they’re coming from our minds, our conditioning, our fears and insecurities. Which is to say, when we want to feel more worthy and empowered, it serves us to get out of our minds and into our hearts, bodies, souls, spirits. There’s so much magic happening within each of us, and most of it is found outside of our thoughts.

I hope the video gives you a little nudge to believe in yourself more deeply, and/or to step into the change you feel called to make.

I love you, and I believe in you.

xoxo…Scott

Bigger Love is a reader-supported publication. If you find this space helpful, and have the means, please consider become a paid subscriber ($5/month or $50/year).

Upcoming Events:

Live Breathwork in Pleasant Ridge, MI on Sunday, Feb. 23rd at 2pm ET

Inward Online Workshop on Sunday, March 9th at 1pm ET

Enough as You Are Workshop in Oak Park, IL on Saturday, April 5th at 1:30pm CT

New Meditations:

You Are Enough, Just as You Are, on Insight Timer

The Messages of Your Heart, on Insight Timer

A Pep Talk to Lift Your Spirits, on Insight Timer

Be sure to check below for two new meditations and three upcoming events, including live gatherings in Pleasant Ridge, MI and Oak Park, IL.

Hi Friends,

If you’re struggling to find a sense of peace within all the insanity of the outside world and our very human minds, then I encourage you to watch the video above. I encourage you to prioritize your connection to the peace of your soul and the love of your heart. I encourage you to remember that both energies are alive with you, and all of us, all the time. Which is to say, we have a choice in how much we engage with the ever-present peace and love within, and that every time we choose to engage with these energies, we serve not only ourselves but our world.

I am whole-heartedly prioritizing peace right now. Perhaps that’s one of the gifts of the political instability in this country: it is continuously inviting me to look at ways in which I can become more grounded, more loving, and more peaceful, no matter how I’m choosing to show up. Not easy, but as important as ever.

I’d love to hear how the video landed for you, and by all means share some insights on how you have been connecting with peace these days.

I’m continuing to hold a deep prayer that, no matter what choices we make, we may find ourselves infusing them with more peace, compassion and love than ever.

Sending so much big love out to you all.

xoxo…Scott

Bigger Love is a reader-supported publication. If you find this space helpful, and have the means, please consider become a paid subscriber ($5/month or $50/year).

Upcoming Events:

Live Breathwork in Pleasant Ridge, MI on Sunday, Feb. 23rd at 2pm ET

Inward Online Workshop on Sunday, March 9th at 1pm ET

Enough as You Are Workshop in Oak Park, IL on Saturday, April 5th at 1:30pm CT

New Meditations:

The Messages of Your Heart, on Insight Timer

A Pep Talk to Lift Your Spirits, on Insight Timer

Upcoming:

Live-Online Breathwork Journey on Wednesday, Jan. 22nd, at 9pm ET

Free Live Insight Timer Talk on Friday, Jan. 24th, at 11am ET

Inner Peace and Power in Portugal Retreat from Nov. 9th - 15th

Hi Friends,

Today I pulled a card for us from the Sacred Earth Oracle deck, and the message definitely resonated, as I continue to bring awareness to the choices I’m making in my life and how they affect me. Let me know how the reading landed for you, and if you have other insights you’d like to share with us all.

Here’s the card:

Here’s the deck:

We are not bound to our patterns. It is within our capacity to make different choices than the ones that continue to create unfavorable outcomes. I’m not saying it’s easy to shift longstanding patterns, even (or especially) the unhealthy ones, but it is possible, with intention and commitment. And, ideally, with a lot of grace for the moments when we fall back into the patterns that don’t serve us. We’re human, after all.

I think one of the most powerful practices is also the most simple (at least to comprehend if not act upon): bring awareness to your choices and do more of what feels fulfilling and less of what doesn’t. If we did no other thing than that, we’d all be living much more fulfilling lives. Why not start right now?

Sending huge love out to all of you, and a deep prayer that we may each be willing and courageous enough to change the patterns that don’t serve us, as individuals and as a collective.

With so much gratitude and love,

Scott

Please help support my work and this newsletter by taking out a premium subscription ($5 per month or $50 per year). Thank you!

Hi Friends,

First, I’d like to share that I’ll be giving a free 30-minute live talk on Insight Timer tomorrow, Friday the 10th, at 11am EST. It’s an expansion on last week’s newsletter: How do you want to feel in 2025. Go here to register.

In the above video I talk about centering in the ever-present peacefulness of our souls. I’ve been feeling heartbroken about the fires in Southern California and this morning, along with my overwhelm and tears, have continued to bring myself back to my center, to that place within that does not struggle to be with the pain of our planet.

If you’re looking at the 17-minute runtime and thinking no way do I have 17 minutes to watch that, I encourage to go to the 12:10 point, at which time I close out with a 5-minute meditation into our inner peace. I hope it’s helpful.

My prayers are with everyone in the path of these fires, and in the path of natural disasters around the globe. My prayers are with all the first responders who so bravely risk their lives to save the property and lives of others. My prayers are with all of us, really, that we may find a way to be with our world, to be in our world with more peace, compassion and love, for ourselves and for each other.

Sending a huge hug and so much love out to all of you.

xoxo…Scott

Please help support my work and this newsletter by taking out a premium subscription (just $5 per month or $50 per year). Thank you!

Hi Friends,

One of the questions I’ve been asking myself moving into this new year is How do you want to feel? I encourage you to explore that question, along with the choices you can make to realize the feeling/s you want to create for yourself. Watch the video and let me know what you come up with.

Wishing you a new year filled with peace, joy and connection. Sending so much love and gratitude to each of you. Thank you for being here.

With Big Big Love… Scott

Please help support my work and this newsletter by taking out a premium subscription (just $5 per month or $50 per year). Thank you!

Inner Peace & Power in Portugal is a weeklong retreat co-led with my buddy David Gandelman, in gorgeous southern Portugal. Here’s the note we shared on the website for the event, to give you a sense of what we’re envisioning:

We are wildly excited to invite you to join us for a week of meditation, breathwork, community, and spiritual growth in the lush and serene beauty of Monte da Orada, Portugal. Dating back to the 12th century, Monte da Orada isn’t an ordinary venue—it’s an ancient sanctuary surrounded by untouched and spectacular nature, an oasis that invites you to slow down, celebrate beauty, and give energy to what truly matters.

Over the course of the week, we’ll guide you to reconnect with your inner peace and strength, both of which are present within you all the time. Our days together will consist of guided meditations, transformational breathwork journeys, self-reflective journaling, as well as other mindfulness practices designed to help you shift your energy, release old patterns, and embrace your authentic self. There will also be plenty of free time for relaxation, massages, the sauna, and simply enjoying the gorgeous surroundings.

This retreat is about more than just self-discovery. It’s a chance to connect deeply with a like-hearted community, share unforgettable moments, and cultivate a sense of joy and clarity that you can carry into your everyday life. And remember, any healing we create in ourselves is healing that supports our world. We truly are all connected.

This will be the fourth retreat we’ve hosted together, and we expect it to be every bit as profound, energizing and fun as the others. We will have the entire retreat center to ourselves, and though it accommodates more than 50 guests, we’ll be limiting the group to a maximum of 35, giving us lots of opportunity to make use of the property.

It’s sure to be one of our highlights of 2025. We can’t wait to see you there!

DETAILS HERE.

If you’re on Bluesky, you can find me at scottstabile.bsky.social

My publisher, New World Library, has all their books on sale right now, including Big Love and Enough as You Are. What’s better than books for the holidays?

Hi Friends,

In today’s video I talk about being more intentional with our relationship with the news, as well as with everything else too. Bottom line: we are, each one of us, responsible for our lives, and that responsibility lives to a large degree in the choices we make. Does a choice uplift or deplete us? Create connection or disconnection? Feel healthy or unhealthy?

Please share your own experience and insights around news consumption, or whatever else. What choices are working for you right now?

Here’s the piece of writing I shared in the video:

For thousands of years, ancient cultures—the Mayans, the Hopi, the Vedic sages—foretold a time when humanity would awaken to a higher consciousness. They spoke of cycles, of a shift from darkness to light, and a return to harmony. That time is now. This awakening isn't on the news, and it's not a viral.trend. It's happening quietly within people everywhere.

We're realizing that reality is shaped by our attention, that peace isn't found by fighting but by creating a life aligned with our truth.

People are remembering the ancient wisdom of connection and balance. Instead of focusing on the chaos, they're choosing to heal, to live consciously, and to create beauty. This isn't a revolution of force but of spirit. The prophecies spoke of strength—not to fight, but to build a world so aligned, so filled with compassion and wisdom, that conflict will have no place.

Imagine a world where, the old energies of greed and fear dissolve, where peace becomes the norm, simply because we've outgrown the need for anything else! This is the quiet, unstoppable awakening our ancestors saw. It's here, and we're living it.

I do see everything as energy, and with more peace, compassion and love as the norm (and it is possible if we become the examples) the fear-based energies will not be able to exist in the same way. They’ll always be there, of course, but much less likely to dominate our reality. As love grows, fear and all it breeds recedes. I see that as the only possibility.

And I’m here for that possibility.

Thanks for sharing this space with me.

I love you… Scott

Please help support my work and this newsletter by taking out a premium subscription (just $5 per month or $50 per year). Thank you!

If you’d like to listen to me read the following essay, click on the audio above.

Hi Friends,

I’ve shared a version of this essay the past couple of years and want to send it out again, as I know this time of year can be especially challenging for many of us. Even beyond holiday season, I’ve found it incredibly helpful to remember that we can’t know what the future holds because we have yet to experience it. And to remember that we have more power than we tend to realize with our thoughts, words and actions.

Here’s the essay. I hope it’s helpful.

The holidays are here, and this can be a difficult time for a lot of people. Perhaps you’re one of them. I’d like to offer a different perspective around approaching the times of year, or specific dates, that tend to incite in us a lot of anxiety or dread.

In my family, September has long been a dreaded month. We lost both my parents to murder on September 16th, 1985, and then nine years later lost my brother to a heroin overdose on September 14th. For years I would enter the month with foreboding, and often spend many days of September feeling sad and uneasy. My siblings have had a similar experience. I had accepted that this was just the way it was, given the tragic circumstances that had occurred. September is a tough month for me, I’d repeated to myself and others each year it would come around. But did it have to be?

I had a fantastic September this year. I traveled a little, spent quality time with friends and in nature, and generally felt good and relaxed. I thought about my parents and brother, especially on the days of their deaths, but not in a heavy way. This wasn’t the first September in these past decades that felt light and easy, and though the sum total of pleasant Septembers is definitely in the minority, most of the last several have not at all been mired in sadness and unease.

As you well know if you’ve been following my work, I believe everything is energy, and that energy tends to attract like energy. Several years ago I stopped setting myself up for a miserable September. I stopped declaring September as a tough month before it even happened and no longer bound myself to the story that it would be so. I began to allow the month to be whatever it was, without clinging to my expectations that it would be terrible.

In reality, we have no idea what the future holds, even when the past has held the same story for years or decades. The past does not automatically determine the future. To state right now that these upcoming holidays, for example, are going to be difficult because they generally have been is to give tangible energy to the creation of a reality we don’t want to happen. We don’t have to do that. I came to see the ways in which I was influencing how September played out each year by expecting it to be hard instead of allowing it simply to be, or even better, bringing intention to the possibility of it unfolding in a beautiful way. Telling myself a different story about September’s potential and thereby inviting the month to rewrite itself as well.

I’m not suggesting we reframe difficult anniversaries, holidays or seasons from a place of denial but from a place of openness to creating new realities, to writing new stories. Ten years of miserable Valentine’s Days does not automatically portend an eleventh year of misery, and especially if we’re willing to open ourselves to the possibility of a great VDay, and take intentional actions to make it so, even if we end up spending it alone.

To be clear, just because we go into, say, the holidays with a new outlook on what’s possible doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t end up being just as difficult as they have been in the past. Along with being intentional about rewriting our expectations, it can be incredibly helpful to be proactive before the holidays arrive and outline how it is we’re going to take extra good care of ourselves once they do. If the holidays have tended to be a lonely time of year, what choices can you make that might ease some of the loneliness? Are there friends or family you can set up phone dates with, or in-person dates if you live in the same area? Are there events, or talks, or workshops to which you can get tickets that will keep you connected to art, and personal development, and community during the season? A Google search will help you find any number of free options online if budget is a concern.

Ask yourself the question, How can I bring more peace, and joy, and connection to the holidays this year? Or to Valentine’s Day, if that’s the tough one for you. Or to the anniversary of a loved one’s death. Again, not to deny the difficulty of the experience, but to open ourselves to a more expansive possibility within it. A question that begins with How can I…automatically invites in your creativity and imagination and moves you toward the likelihood of creating something new. How can I… says Yes I can, and let me consider the ways.

I’m no longer willing to set myself up for the future I don’t want by convincing myself that’s the future I’m going to get. Neither am I willing to believe the traumatic events of my past irrevocably determine my future. I will not pretend to know what the future holds, nor will I give energy to predictions of doom when all things are possible. I went into September this year feeling good and hopeful and open to the month being beautiful. Even if it had ended up being a hard month, at least I would have given myself an August filled with possibility instead of dread. That counts for something.

We are more powerful than we realize with the thoughts we think and the actions we take. Why not direct that power toward creating as much peace, joy and connection in our lives as possible? And being so gentle and loving with ourselves when, for whatever reason, peace, joy and connection just aren’t possible.

If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow, may it be filled with peace, love and gratitude. And however you’re spending the holiday season, I send you so much love and belief in who you are. Please remember, no matter what: you are worthy, loved and enough, just as you are.

xoxo…Scott

Please help support my work and this newsletter by taking out a premium subscription (just $5 per month or $50 per year). Thank you!

Hi Friends,

I shared the following story a couple years ago and thought of it today as I was nudging myself to remember just how beautiful people can be. It’s from Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book, The Power of Intention. Click the audio above if you’d rather hear me read it.

I encourage you to let yourself feel the compassion and love in this story. Yes, there are too many examples of humans treating other humans horrifically. And, there are many more stories of humans showering others with kindness, compassion and love. The following is one such story.

From The Power of Intention, by Dr. Wayne Dyer:

In Brooklyn, New York, Chush is a school that caters to learning-disabled children. Some children remain for their entireschool career, while others can be mainstreamed into conventionalschool. At a school fund raiser dinner, the father of a Chush childdelivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.After praising the school and its dedicated staff, he cried out,"Where is the perfection in my son, Shaya? Everything God does is donewith perfection. But my child cannot understand things as otherchildren do. My child cannot remember facts and figures as otherchildren do. Where is God's perfection?" The audience was shocked bythe question, pained by the father's anguish, and stilled by thepiercing query. "I believe," the father answered, "that when Godbrings a child like this into the world, the perfection that he seeksis in the way people react to this child."He then told the following story about his son, Shaya.One afternoon, Shaya and his father walked past a park where some boysShaya knew were playing baseball. Shaya asked, "Do you think they'lllet me play?" Shaya's father knew that his son was not at all athleticand that most boys would not want him on their team. But Shaya'sfather understood that if his son was chosen to play, it would givehim a sense of belonging. Shaya's father approached one of the boys onthe field and asked if Shaya could play. The boy looked around forguidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into hisown hands and said, "We're losing by six runs, and the game is in theeighth inning. I guess he can be on our team, and we'll try to put himup in the ninth inning."Shaya's father was ecstatic as Shaya smiled broadly. Shaya was told toput on a glove and go out to play in center field. In the bottom ofthe eighth inning, Shaya's team scored a few runs but was still behindby three. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shaya's team scoredagain, and now had two outs and the bases loaded, with the potentialwinning run on base. Shaya was scheduled to be up. Would the teamactually let Shaya bat at this juncture and give away their chance towin the game?Surprisingly, Shaya was given the bat. Everyone knew that it was allbut impossible because Shaya didn't even know how to hold the bat, letalone hit with it. However, as Shaya stepped up to the plate, thepitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shaya could atleast be able to make contact. The first pitch came in, and Shayaswung clumsily and missed. One of Shaya's teammates came up to Shaya,and together they held the bat and faced the pitcher waiting for thenext pitch. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss theball softly toward Shaya. As the pitcher came in, Shaya and histeammate swung the bat, and together they hit a slow ground ball tothe pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easilyhave thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shaya would have been outand that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the balland threw it on a high arc to right field far beyond the reach of thefirst baseman. Everyone started yelling, "Shaya, run to first. Run tofirst." Never in his life had Shaya run to first. He scampered downthe baseline wide-eyed and startled. By the time he reached firstbase, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball tothe second baseman who would tag out Shaya, who was still running!!But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions were, sohe threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head. Everyoneyelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Shaya ran toward second baseas the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases toward home.As Shaya reached second base, the opposing shortstop turned him in thedirection of third base, and shouted, "Run to third." As Shaya roundedthird, the boys from both teams ran behind him screaming, "Shaya, runhome." Shaya ran home, stepped on home plate, and all 18 boys liftedhim on their shoulders and made him the hero, as he had just hit a'grand slam' and won the game for his team.."That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down hisface, "those 18 boys reached their level of God's perfection".

Anyone else crying?

Our most pure instincts are to help one another. To cheer on one another. To show compassion for one another. These instincts live in our hearts and become more accessible to us the more we commit to living in our hearts.

These days, I keep coming back to the question: How do I want to show up, no matter what’s happening in the world around me? And I keep coming back to the same answer: as a messenger and example of love.

This is my work. My commitment. My gift. I will continue to do my best to stay aligned with love, no matter what, and let myself be led by the guidance of my heart. And I will continue to do my best to check myself when I’m not doing so.

I love you all, and I thank you for being here.

xoxo

Scott

Please help support my work and this newsletter by taking out a premium subscription (just $5 per month or $50 per year). Thank you!

REGISTER HERE

Hi Friends,

If you’re stirring with anxiety over the election, as I know many of us are, I feel you, and I’ve got you. Click on the 4-minute recording and try this breath. And then continue to do it throughout the day (and anytime) as you feel yourself losing your s**t. It’s my favorite breath and perhaps the most effective at helping me feel more grounded in my body.

If you have other grounding breaths or practices, by all means share them with us.

Holding us all in a prayer for peace, connection, sanity and love, no matter the outcome.

I love you all,

Scott

Please help support my work and this newsletter by taking out a premium subscription (just $5 per month or $50 per year). Thank you!

Upcoming Events:

From Kandy, a participant in October’s journaling workshop:

I joined Scott Stabile's Journaling Adventure with the simple intention of establishing a regular journaling routine, but I walked away with so much more. Scott’s openness, encouragement, and acceptance made me feel safe, giving me permission to be vulnerable, which truly deepened the experience. The connection with the incredible participants, feeling truly seen, heard, and accepted, led to healing childhood wounds, powerful AHA moments, and a deeper appreciation for myself and others. It was a transformative journey that far exceeded my expectations. - Kandy D.

REGISTER HERE

REGISTER HERE

INWARD begins in just ten days, and no matter what happens on Election Day, I’ve no doubt we will all benefit from gathering with other open-hearted humans and learning more about ourselves and each other through journal writing and connection. October’s event was extremely powerful and this one will be too.

My publisher, New World Library, is hosting an online Book Club / Author Event with me on Sunday, November 17th. Details and Registration HERE. It’s gonna be fun fun fun.

Hi Friends,

Though it’s not at all my intention, there’s a chance some of what I say here is gonna piss some of you off. I did my best to speak my truth, not only about the election but about how we can be with each other in a more loving way after the election.

There are few things as effective as political discourse to get me out of my heart and into my ego-driven mind. And yet, my commitment is to heart-centered, love-centered living. No matter what.

Like all of us, I’m a work in progress.

If you feel inclined to comment, please do so respectfully. This post is not an invitation to trash those on the other side of the political spectrum, or to trash one another for any reason.

I suspect I can speak for most if not all of us in the US when I say I’m thankful this election is almost over. Wrapping us in a prayer for peace, compassion and understanding, no matter the outcome.

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend and so much love,

Scott

Please help support my work and this newsletter by taking out a premium subscription (just $5 per month or $50 per year). Thank you!

From Kandy, a participant in October’s journaling workshop:

I joined Scott Stabile's Journaling Adventure with the simple intention of establishing a regular journaling routine, but I walked away with so much more. Scott’s openness, encouragement, and acceptance made me feel safe, giving me permission to be vulnerable, which truly deepened the experience. The connection with the incredible participants, feeling truly seen, heard, and accepted, led to healing childhood wounds, powerful AHA moments, and a deeper appreciation for myself and others. It was a transformative journey that far exceeded my expectations. - Kandy D.

REGISTER HERE.