In English we use the word "love" to mean a LOT of different things with a common theme of just that emotional response. Like the taste of a favorite food, or infatuation, or the relationship roles life bestows on us. Yet the more deeply committed (heroic even) love willing to voluntarily sacrifice itself uses the same word. Deeper yet is the infinite all-inclusive "unconditional love" ascribed to God (Agape in Greek) which leaves nothing out. Sanskrit has the word "Metta" to describe all-inclusive loving-kindness which seems the same to me (but without the implied personification of "God"). In any case, our finite ego cannot hope to manufacture or produce such Love, yet we CAN perhaps recognize, appreciate, value, and resonate with such infinite Love.
To identify "love" only as a transient feeling does not really have much power to change anything (as pleasant as it may feel). Infinite Unconditional Love (Agape? Metta?) fits better in this passage but is quite impossible for a finite ego to manufacture or produce. Fortunately (being infinite) that unconditional Love is already here in EVERY moment of now, and we CAN recognize, appreciate, enjoy, spend time with, value, foster and multiply, cooperate with, identify ourselves with, and celebrate that Love!
On Sep 15, 2022Gururaj wrote :
Wonderfully well written , Ted. Thanks. May the resonance happen often.
On Sep 13, 2022 Ted wrote :