SADHANA OF LOVE (CONTD.,) COURTESY : SWAMINI MAYATITANANDA

[Guest guest]

PRIYA BHAGAVAT BANDHU,

 

Love in itself cannot be taught. The great dramatist Stella Adler,

defines the truth within an action as something doable. To merely

say the words " I love you " is meaningless if all the supporting

actions are contrary, and do not communicate that love. The doable

feats that inspirit the value of love are (1) sharing the things we

hold dear, (2) being honest within our daily actions, (3) being alert

within our activities, (4) assuming responsibility for any un-

pleasantries and difficulties are caused by others (and not blaming

ourselves). The latter is most arduous task when family and friends

are involved. Alertness is imperative here since our perceptions

become blurred within partialities of intimate relationships.

 

We cannot help others by assuming their burdens. It is necessary to

exercise a discriminate tolerance of those who do not assume

responsibility for their actions, and to accept the results of our

own mistakes as well. Love is ojas, the quintessential essence of

hard-earned practice. The nature of love is singular. It is only

the expressions of love which are many. When we are thrown together

with family in consanguinity, the bond is inevitably firmer for the

time together with family is so compact. When we spend the time with

those to whom we are attracted, a similar intensity sets in.

Likewise when we are with a good teacher, the essence of love is

there. In these and other cases of intimacy, love is the common

factor, but its expressions are different. For love to exist in any

situation, the elements of self-honesty, sharing acceptance and

endurance need to be present.