Excellent question. Well, it was Mick Jagger who sang, "Tell me, who do you love?" Thank you to The Rolling Stones for asking this important question. With Valentine's Day upon us, I think we owe them an answer and it's a question we should ask ourselves as yogis (or better yet as humans) everyday.
Back to the question, "Who do you love?" Mick wants to know!
And, how do you expand agápe-esque love to someone that you didn't give birth to? To take this even deeper, does unconditionally loving someone mean that you must be (or stay) in a relationship with them, approve of their life, or know their every desire?
My personal answer is no. In a way it's very liberating to step back, even from people you are close with, and have the realization that without the kids, the history-- whatever it is-- that you can offer them something deeper in terms of love.
Let's address that strangers question...how do we love someone who just flipped you off in traffic or that we've never even met? My biggest offering here is to go into your day honoring that every person wants to be happy, that is their True Nature and birthright. Here are four simple tips:
- Be patient
- Try to see other's side of things
- Exude love with awareness at least one time each day to many who need it
- Be aware you are part of something greater
I'll end with Paramahansa Yogananda answering how we balance unconditional love with being a doormat:
"Whoever has control of feeling follows truth, shares that truth wherever he can, and avoids annoying unnecessarily anyone who would not be receptive anyway. He knows when to speak and when to be silent, but he never compromises his own ideals and inner peace. Such a man is a force for great good in this world."
Now tell me, who do you love?
In light and service,
Cassandra
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