Un-learning the Ways of Un-love, by Swami Chaitanya Keerti (LINK)
January 8th 2008 08:19
I would love to hear anyone's thoughts on this....
Un-learning the Ways of Un-love, Swami Chaitanya Keerti
When you are absolutely happy in your aloneness, when the other is not a need, it is then that you are capable of love. If the other is your need, you can only exploit, manipulate, dominate but cannot love.
Because you depend on the other, possessiveness arises -- out of fear. "Who knows? The other is with me today; tomorrow he/she may not be with me. Who knows about the next moment?" [...] Out of that fear of the future, you become very possessive. You create bondage around the person you think you love.
But love cannot create a prison. If love creates a prison, then what is left for hatred to do? Love brings freedom -- love gives freedom. It is non-possessiveness. But that is possible only if you have known a totally different quality of love, one not of need but of sharing.
Love is sharing of overflowing joy. You are too full of joy, you cannot contain it, you have to share it. Then there is poetry, then there is something tremendously beautiful which is not of this world, something that comes from the beyond.
Often I say, learn the art of love. What I really mean is: learn the art of removing all that hinders love. It is a negative process. It is like digging a well -- you go on removing layers of earth, stones, rocks and then suddenly there is water. The water was always there as an undercurrent. When you remove all barriers, the water is available. So with love. Love is the undercurrent of your being. It is flowing, but there are many rocks, much earth to be removed. That's what I mean when I say: learn the art of love. It is really not learning love but un-learning the ways of un-love.
--Swami Chaitanaya Keerti
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Un-learning the Ways of Un-love, Swami Chaitanya Keerti
When you are absolutely happy in your aloneness, when the other is not a need, it is then that you are capable of love. If the other is your need, you can only exploit, manipulate, dominate but cannot love.
Because you depend on the other, possessiveness arises -- out of fear. "Who knows? The other is with me today; tomorrow he/she may not be with me. Who knows about the next moment?" [...] Out of that fear of the future, you become very possessive. You create bondage around the person you think you love.
But love cannot create a prison. If love creates a prison, then what is left for hatred to do? Love brings freedom -- love gives freedom. It is non-possessiveness. But that is possible only if you have known a totally different quality of love, one not of need but of sharing.
Love is sharing of overflowing joy. You are too full of joy, you cannot contain it, you have to share it. Then there is poetry, then there is something tremendously beautiful which is not of this world, something that comes from the beyond.
Often I say, learn the art of love. What I really mean is: learn the art of removing all that hinders love. It is a negative process. It is like digging a well -- you go on removing layers of earth, stones, rocks and then suddenly there is water. The water was always there as an undercurrent. When you remove all barriers, the water is available. So with love. Love is the undercurrent of your being. It is flowing, but there are many rocks, much earth to be removed. That's what I mean when I say: learn the art of love. It is really not learning love but un-learning the ways of un-love.
--Swami Chaitanaya Keerti
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Comment by The Rusty Can
The Rusty Can
Still, the idea to simply 'share' does appeal to me. Cutting out the fear of losing someone (through death, rejection or whatever - things we have no control over) would make life a lot easier and free up the mind for more positive and constructive thoughts. Easier said than done, of course. Good advice, nonetheless.
Great post, Lily~
Rusty.
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
That`s some thought right there! I don`t think I have ever put imagined love that way before.... and how true is it!
That`s really an interesting thought - that we use love to fill a void within ourselves. Then it`s not really love that we are experiencing is it? Wow that makes so much sense doesn`t it? Without loving yourself first you are incapable of truly loving another.
Thanks for posting this one Lily, I`ll be back to read it again today, to let it all soak in.
Ash
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I clenched my teeth against the stars. I closed my eyes. I surrendered to sleep. One of the reasons why we crave love, and seek it so desperately, is that love is the only cure for loneliness, and shame, and sorrow. But some feelings sink so deep into the heart that only lonliness can help you find them again. Some truths about yourself are so painful that only shame can help you live with them. And some things are just so sad that only your soul can do the crying for you.'
Comment by Lily
Bohemians United
Ars Poetica
Ash, I'm still looking to find Shantaram online, this man is exceptional in his observations, language, writing.. i love how he describes the soul.. thanks for the pointer chicka..
~Lily