In Buddhism we come to understand love as that which nourishes spiritual liberation,
Freedom,
In fact it's defined by its very freedom given qualities in all aspects of life.
So by that measure,
That which constricts,
Limits,
Imprisons,
Clings,
Tightens and grasps,
Is the antithesis of true love.
When we bind ourselves to ideas,
To people,
To things,
To outcomes and narratives,
We give up our freedom to those very things,
We place our nourishment in the hands of someone or something else,
We give up the mystery of love to another.
And when those things are lost or disappear or end,
We spiral into confusion,
Sadness,
Fear and displacement.
And then somehow we feel love is lost.
But love is never lost,
It simply exists and always will.
If our association with love is that it can only thrive in pleasant and rewarding conditions alone,
Then the path to liberation is cut short.
Love is not of form,
Love is a formless,
Unending and radiant energy which can undulate and weave into all aspects of life,
Not just in romance or partnership,
But in walking through a glen or bathing in a lake alone.
It manifests in many forms,
But it is not form itself.
It is boundless and free and it caresses the soul and lifts the heart when we give it permission to do so.
Love can be learnt,
Instilled and grown.
Love must be cultivated.
Love is not a chance happening.
Love is not about waiting for someone to bestow it upon you.
Love is an innate capacity within all of us and the path to love starts with oneself.
Love is a way of life.
Love is a connection to one's own heart through compassion and loving kindness.
Marianne Williamson is quoted as saying,
Your natural state is external prosperity because your internal state is spiritually prosperous.
The Eightfold Path in Buddhism provides insight into how one might cultivate love in one's life and therefore in others too.
Samma Dithi – See the reality of life as it is.
Have clear vision.
Samma Sankapa – Be compassionate.
Act from the heart and from the feeling mind.
Samma Vacha – Speak truth.
Be uplifting and mindful in speech.
Samma Kamanta – Act with good intention.
Respect oneself and others.
Samma Ajiva – Live ethically and consciously.
Samma Vayama – Use one's life force to transform creatively.
Act with vitality.
Samma Sati – Be mindful.
Cultivate awareness.
Be the observer.
Samma Samadhi – Cultivate enlightenment.
Train the mind,
Body and spirit to concentrate,
Contemplate and meditate.
Being whole in one's existence in each of these realms brings vigour and joy to one's own experience of love.
Love radiates.
Love begets love.
Let love come after love.
Let love come after all.
You you you
