Love can be a difficult concept to describe, trying to use words that clearly can’t do it justice. It’s a word thrown around so often, yet its true essence can be so hard to pin down. We chase after it in relationships, yearn for its presence, and sometimes feel lost when it seems absent. But what if the key to experiencing love was not at all about receiving it, but about giving it freely?
Alan Cohen is our teacher this week, so let’s take a look at his descriptions of love:
“We believe we are hurt when we don’t receive love. But that is not what hurts us. Our pain comes when we do not give love. We were born to love. You might say that we are divinely created love machines. We function most powerfully when we are giving love. The world has led us to believe that our well-being is dependent on other people loving us. But this is kind of upside down thinking that has caused so many of our problems. The truth is our well being is dependent on our giving love. It is not about what comes back; it is about what goes out!” – Alan Cohen
“The door you open to give love is the very one through which love arrives.” – Alan Cohen
Showing up as love. Being the example of what love ‘is’ in human form, is our natural state. We might have been ‘taught’ not to be so open with our love. We might have been hurt or shamed in the past and then chosen to live with our hearts closed, but this always ends up hurting us because a closed heart can neither give nor receive.
“Waiting does not exist in the experience of those who recognize the presence of love wherever they are.” – Alan Cohen
Showing up as love means there is never a period of ‘waiting’ for love, because you are always living ‘in’ love.
“The deeper you love yourself, the more the universe will affirm your worth.” – Alan Cohen
“Love is heaven and fear is hell. Where you place your attention is where you live.” – Alan Cohen
The people who have learned this truth from their journey, show up as the embodiment of love. They ask nothing of you because they are already full. They see through your fears to the being that you are.
“Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.” – Alan Cohen
But the people who love you are human too and sometimes their own fears might get the better of them, so try not to judge them in the moments that they succumb to their own fears.
A few questions to help deepen your expression of love:
- How can I show up as love in my interactions today?
- Where am I holding back love, out of fear or past experiences?
- What small act of kindness can I offer someone today?
- Can I extend the same compassion I offer others to myself?
Remember, love is a practice. The more we extend love to everything around us, the more we experience its transformative power in our own lives.
Wishing you a beautiful Friday!
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: Sharing love.
(image credit: https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/mental-health/a28045/what-to-do-if-angry-at-someone/)