Spirit

The Art Of Love

That which is false troubles the heart, but truth brings joyous tranquility. - Rumi

Imagine an enchanted cup, a magical vessel that was filled with love and whenever some love was poured from it the cup would refill. The keeper could go out and pour as much or as little into everyone they met, and at the end of the day, the cup was full again.

What a wondrous prize and such a beautiful gift that surely can have only been given by the Divine. With it, you could bring happiness to so many people who need it.

The vessel is you.

The act of giving should be considered an act of duty to your Higher Power and nothing else. No reward or gain should be sought or it will bitter the measure of love than you have been granted.

No judgment or thought should be used to gauge how much you give, your inner voice will guide you. If your gift is declined then move on, the time is not right only for now.

The act of loving should be offered to the whole world and especially yourself, just as declining to give it to others leads to discontent, so does not loving yourself.

In loving you should give of your heart, like a painter aiming to capture the vision he imagines will please. The truest art is painted with hearts of passion and not thoughts of perfection.

When we look for a reward for our kindness we risk the danger of ruining it, even personal satisfaction turns our love into a commodity. Your supply is unlimited and yet you may not see its effect.

If your acts of kindness bring thoughts of wasted action or ungratefulness, ask yourself, 'Was this deed for you or the Divine?'

So how do we achieve the inner peace that lets us pour out love and kindness without thought of self? We are human, prone to selfishness, distraction, and anger. We are not aiming for sainthood, we simply seek the easy serenity that comes with kindness.

The answer lies in part in self-knowledge and meditation. The power of prayer can offer guidance and strength but like a soldier trains for battle so should we train for love. Take the steps, find the simple goodness that life offers and should we slip, simply try again.

A fake smile can bring our mood around until the smile is real, so it can be with our better self. Doing kind things even forced can become habit and the norm with repetition. The act of itself is a good beginning and though marred with self-congratulation or vainglory at the start, these will pass.

Where possible we should correct our thoughts either at the time or as a spiritual audit at the end of the day. Offer the divine our actions and our intentions on the balance scale of our souls and the weight of good deeds will tip further every day.

So we ask for action without reward and our human nature has to ask 'Why?', what is the point. The path of serenity has many side effects such as strength in adversity, inner tranquility, a foundation of happiness, and clarity of thought that extends beyond the mundane.

We tune in to the Earth Song on a whole new level, our connection becomes real and we begin to work with the Cosmic Melody of the Divine.

The price of love is a better world and a better, happier you.