Universal love is really an invitation to experience life in a brand-new way. It is true that our most important job is to improve ourselves in whatever way we can so that we may be a better receptacle for the love we seek. The primary factor inhibiting our ability to accept this love and use it more effectively in our lives is fear. We can acknowledge that overcoming the many fears we have inside us is our greatest challenge. This is what we are healing. Universal Love by its very nature helps us understand that fear is really the opposite of love, so we must then ask ourselves a question. Are we going to allow fear to prevent us from becoming the loving human being we essentially are? It is important for all of us to recognize that when we are in fear, love is not present. Perhaps we are worried that if we address our fears and let them go, we will be left with emptiness. Maybe we will no longer have something to hold onto. We ultimately fear that what will remain is aloneness. We are forgetting that when we let go of our fears, we are simply making room for something much greater, love! It is a difficult process to confront our fears for it requires a great deal of faith and trust on our part, but if we are willing to do the necessary work, what will be given to us is a greater understanding of love. Love will replace fear and our sense of being alone will disappear. This love will bring to us an increased awareness of ourselves, those around us, and the world in which we live. In our discussion today, let’s take a look at three areas where we might address our fear so that love can do its work.
In our previous discussion, we noticed that we have a tendency to fear differences in others, whether it be someone’s race, religion, gender, sexual expression, or otherwise. It has been my experience that simple exposure to diversity greatly alleviates much of the fear. A lack of experience and education tends to produce prejudice and misunderstanding. I would argue that higher education is not so much about acquiring the skills necessary to get a higher-paying job or career, but an opportunity for an individual to gain experience in human diversity. It’s about acquiring people skills! Although there is no guarantee that higher education will eliminate all fear and prejudice, it does provide an atmosphere of possible experience. It is often the “newness” of difference that generates fear, so a simple exposure can at least ease the tension. Every individual, no matter their background, has unique experience and knowledge to provide. Everyone also has an inherent thirst for knowledge and experience, so if we are willing to participate more fully by including the experience of others, we will most certainly learn a lot about ourselves. We become more whole. We do not need to seek a formal education in order to gain exposure to diversity. We can do so by exploring the arts, literature, or even by pursuing a more active role in our local community. Whatever we decide, it is our willingness to participate that will provide for us a greater love and understanding of our fellow human beings. If we do not learn how to appreciate and get along with one another, the condition of our lives and our world will not improve. Let’s give it a try. We’ve got nothing to lose and a lot to gain!
In the process of overcoming our fears, and the increased love that will follow, the development of an inclusive awareness becomes more prominent in our experience. The sense of loneliness we so often feel gives way to broader participation in life through an acknowledgment of our level of participation within the greater whole. It not only involves our understanding of other people, but other life forms as well. We too often forget that the plant and animal kingdoms also have an important role to play. As the presence of love increases in our lives, we notice a greater appreciation and awareness of our planet at large and all the life contained within it. It is humanity’s job to be a responsible and loving steward of this great world. Let us remember that the plant and animal kingdoms provide us with food and air to breathe. We could not exist without them. Humanity has the ability to build a better place for all. Let’s get busy!
Before we end our discussion today, I want to bring some attention to one of the most powerful tools we can use to bring more love and awareness into our lives, humility. In our quest to achieve a greater understanding of life and the vastness of the universe in which we consciously participate, we might notice how small we really are. This is a good thing. It is important to recognize we have a lot to learn, that there are forces at play we are just beginning to explore. We begin the process by acknowledging that universal love is bigger than ourselves. All we have to do is get out of the way! We allow love to work when we pay attention to the judgment and criticism we have toward ourselves and others. Let’s remember that we are not in a position to assess another person’s life circumstances or choices. Our job is ourselves. As we clear away our fears, we let love in. Now we truly have something to give – a capacity to help others do the same.
There is so much to consider about love. I hope I have provided a jumping-off point. We will return to it periodically because it is in love that we will find our purpose. We have an opportunity to bring in a great deal of light and love to our planet in this time of change, and it will involve every aspect of the human experience. Let’s be willing to participate! Next time we’ll be taking another look at how the political system is also in play.
All my love and support, stay safe and be well