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Personal Development – Love

by: Opal O. Murray – Life Coach

HOLLYWOOD – During a recent viewing of the Charlotte Bronte’s classic, Jane Eyre, I saw one of the characters enthusiastically celebrate the virtues of love. She gleefully proclaimed that we should be commanded to love. Such was her glee; she embodied Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that ‘where there is love there is life.’

It is February, a time when our society, for the most part, turns attention and intention to romantic love. But what of the plain unadulterated, unconditional love? Love that has no bounds, love that is gentle and not boastful? Love that is kind and patient: love that forgives: filled with hope and devoid of jealousy and resentment? Real love – the kind that is everlasting?

‘One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life. That word is love.”
– Sophocles, Greek dramatist 496 BC-406BC

When do we turn our attention and intention to this love that is pure and true? The answer is simple, each moment! Ms. Bronte’s character’s brother was a minister, so I presume at some point she had heard that to love was indeed a commandment. In fact, it is the only commandment because once you practice true and pure love, all your thoughts, words and actions will yield only divine fruits.

Yeshwa, the Master Teacher from Nazareth, commanded his disciples to love. He taught them that this was the greatest action. He introduced love as a trinity showing the disciples that they should 1) love God their Creator, 2) love others and 3) love themselves. Intriguingly, he taught them to love themselves exactly the same way they love others – “love others as you love yourself.”

In accepting this lesson, you learn that you must first have love for and within yourself before you can give love to others. It is the love that you have for your self that will allow you to see others as you see yourself.

So, how do you see yourself? Are you seeing a person who is to be judged? Are you seeing a human who is flawed? How about some one who is unkind? Are you looking in the mirror of your world and are deciding who is worthy of love? If you answer is maybe or yes then ask your self “Why have I chosen to heap coals on my head?” Because by acknowledging a falsehood or anything but the truth brings pain and suffering. You have accepted the falsehood that you are not to be loved and that you do not have self-love.

At this moment, open your eyes and know your truth – the truth that will set you free from pain and suffering: You were created in love, by love, for love! You are love so be love! Amazingly, while true love is unconditional, it is by giving love that you will receive love and conversely by receiving love you will give love. Sheltered in this cycle, you will find how easy it is to live with yourself and indeed all people – no conditions, no judgment, no boastfulness, no unkindness. Like reggae icon, Bob Marley, you will discover that we are in fact One- One love, One heart. I command you – Love!

“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection” – Buddha

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