The Stepping Stones of Love...Part II
February 13, 2020
You've probably read my previous post titled The Stepping Stones of Love...Part I. In Part II, I will give my personal rendition of love in relation to Part I and it's deep significance for growth on the spiritual path.
While traveling on the spiritual path, I have found love the most challenging. Not because it's hard to love, but understanding "how to love" is the concern. Love is not an emotion per se. Love is an expression of goodwill. An appreciation of life and wishing the same good upon others that you wish for yourself. This is not always easy. The turmoil in the world today causes one to question the validity of wishing "goodwill" to another who has murdered helpless children or continues to starve the destitute. How do you love such individuals?
This is when I discovered that love is not an emotion. Emotions create attachments and demand results. Real love is built on intelligence and wisdom. For example, it's easy to love someone who loves you or who acts according to your ideals. But loving the one who does wrong is more challenging. You can love them if you understand and begin to view the world as God does.
Though their acts may not be intentional, in essence, they are so far apart from their true spiritual nature, it's hard for the individual to comprehend that love is beauty and joy - in its true form - and that is actually exist. I would figure that these types of persons - bewildered and unfamiliar with their true self - remain in the eros phase of love throughout life. Funnily enough, even when causing hurt and pain to another, a person may feel that they are acting 'out of love.
Let me explain:
Sometimes you have to say 'no' to someone you love. This may cause them hurt or despair. However, due to your growth in wisdom you understand that this is the best action to take. The saying "this is going to hurt me more than it's going to hurt you" has never been more appropriate. Love is kind but firm. All embracing but detached. Agreeable but perceptive. Love is not all these things separately. It's intuitive. Still, the individual on the other end of your words or actions may not understand...at that moment. Nonetheless, later - if they grow in understanding - they will appreciate that 'no' even though they were in despair at the moment. Love only acts for the good of the other. One does not worry about themselves because love is omniscient. Love takes care of its own.
Love is not an attachment. It's letting go. Whether it's your spouse, children, or friends. Real love - agape - requires a higher understanding that "we belong to no one and no one belongs to us." That we must set free of that which we love as then they are truly able to love us in return, if they choose to do so.
The real essence of love is about choice. You can't force anyone to love you no more than you can drink their water for them if they are thirsty. It doesn't mean that you don't care for your loved ones...it simply means that you can't possess them. You enjoy them and give your love unconditionally because that's how you are.
Love is pure like the love of a child. They love because they are love and totally unaware of it. They just give it and we love them in return. We take joy in nurturing them. To watch them grow. We want the best for them. We want their happiness. That's what love can do. Though it can be hard letting go, we know that love looks after its own.
When you learn to love...you become love itself. God (or The Creator) Is Love. That's why when you get to know this great spirit, you automatically love because that's The Creator's nature. Therefore, as you draw closer to your inner being, you allow the spirit of love to move through you.
Love is so omnipresent it heals both mind, body, and Soul. It takes great understanding to 'realize' this truth. You will find that God's love brings joy even in times of sorrow because you understand.
Those who are wise know that love is not weakness.. Love is joy. A spirit of happiness and fulfillment. It's not like an object you give for something in return. It cannot be traded like stocks. LOVE IS...and this type of love is within all of us if we but open ourselves up to it.
