Do we have to create it, consciously, or is it a natural expression of something deeper?
How should we behave towards those who give it to us?
Can we learn to 'exercise' / develop it ourselves?
What are the Best Ways?
With Respect & Best Wishes,
Arjuna
2007-10-01 00:54:15 · 33 answers · asked by goodfella 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Unconditional love is the stuff we are made of. So yes it comes from God, but it also comes from us since we are the Son & it is how we were created. As long as people live believeing the illusion of separateness they will aways see giving & loving to others as a loss or sacrifice on some level. As we begin to see that we are all one in reality, as our definition of self expands to what we perceive as others, then loving & giving is not perceived as loss or sacrifice on any level because we know we give to ourselves. So we don't really work on learning to love unconditionally because we already are that, we unlearn separateness & then loving unconditionally is easy because it is another part of you that you see. Thanks, great question.
2007-10-01 08:26:07 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 8⤊ 0⤋
I really think Unconditional Love is what everything is made of. (I see neophyte has said something similar.)
In those many moments when I have been most selflessly natural ... most honest, most utterly and "ontologically" simple ... love was the only option! Because everything was so patently and obviously miraculous and beautiful.
I am not a "believer." That is not my constitution. But I am honest. And when I do not condition my experience by thoughts and beliefs, but rather look to get my philosophy out of the way and do my utmost to let being be ... it's there. And "it" is in love.
Knowing like love like what it is to be.
Unconditional love in that sense is unconditional precisely because it is the condition for all else. It's always already there. We are its children.
The many contemplative practices of the world are a "Best Way" to allow and uncover that. A Best Way to be what we already are. A Best Way to let go of and disidentify with all that is not that, all that is less than unconditionally true.
To paraphrase Zen master Chao-chou, "Where does Unconditional Love come from? -- The oak tree in the courtyard."
.
2007-10-01 09:44:45 · answer #2 · answered by bodhidave 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Unconditional love doesn't come from anywhere; it is everywhere. It is our natural divine state, it is the essence of all living things, and it is in every thing that has been or ever will be. We don't need to develop it; we need to reunite with it. The noise of our lives is so great that we lose touch with it, but when we quiet down, sit still, listen, it calls us, and like a long lost friend we are filled with joy at the reunion.
Just think, isn't everyone seeking love all the time? Looking for it in relationships, sex, possessions, etc., when all we have to do is look inside. It has been there all the time; it is the infinite part of us.
2007-10-01 14:30:48 · answer #3 · answered by NRPeace 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a Buddhist practice called 'Loving Kindness'.or Metta practice.
One sits quietly for awhile and allows all the days worries to be let go of.
Then imagine to the front of you, as far as you can imagine that all that live in this direction be well and happy,
to the back, may all that live be well and happy, to left side, right side, the four quadrants and finally above and below.
One can also do this practice imagining, first one's family members, friends and slowly integrate those who are not so close, to people we don't like.. (this because it can be difficult to forgive or think kindly to those who may have harmed us or those who harm others in some way)
This following paragraph is an excerpt from an article on Loving Kindness a friend sent to me ..
Metta is its own support,and thus is inherently free of unstable conditions. The loving mind can observe joy and peace in one moment, and then grief in the next moment, and it will not be shattered by the change. A mind filled with love can be likened to the sky with a variety of clouds moving through it-- some light and fluffy, others ominus and threatening.
No matter what the situation, the sky is not affected by the clouds..It is free
Good Wishes
2007-10-01 03:30:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
Oh I don't believe that unconditional love can simply be created. However, I love my children unconditionally, just as many parents do I hope. It is just the way it is. Regardless of their attitudes toward me, or what they do or don't do, I will always carry them in my heart, and I would stand by them through anything, period, It doesn't matter to me whether they reciprocate or not. As to how we should behave towards those who love us unconditionally, I believe in treating them as we do others, by following the Golden Rule.Finally, I hold that the only way we might learn to spread unconditional love is to somehow learn to set aside the part of us that sets others aside. Natural for a parent, but difficult for the rest of us who are NOT saints! Hope this helps you,because writing out this has helped me.
2007-10-01 10:36:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ok. Everybody wrote about God. And pets.
But I think it is more fruitful to try and understand it in the human context!
In that arena, Unconditional Love comes from a realm within us which even we cannot fathom.
It flows by itself. When it emerges within and from someone, he/she cannot control it because that person drowns in it first!
And those who give it to us are often seen being taken for a ride by the object of their love itself! And being taken for granted too much for this quality in them.
But then, that person is least concerned or bothered about what he/she is getting in return from us. Because he/she is in a constant bliss and doesn't need anything from anybody.
But anyways, what can we give a person who has been graced with the ultimate wealth of Unconditional Love? The least we can do is be careful not to be ungrateful or uncaring for that rare person if we ever come across one!!
And we can pray that we be one such blessed creature!!!
I am moved Arjun that you cared to understand the true meaning of the word "Love". Because if it is conditional, it is anything but love!
2007-10-02 09:10:41 · answer #6 · answered by Kapil 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It comes from deep within us and is overwhelming. It is the love a mother feels for her kids and grandchildren. It is hard for the young to know it until they to reach that stage when they are parents themselves. May be we can enlarge on it and include others within the circle of it's warmth but they have to have something about them which responds to it before we can. If you do not find you can love unconditionally in this way then you have to try and try, and may be just may be one day you will have developed it all unknowing but love is intangible and fragile but then it is also strong and resilient. Paradox? yes that is love especially unconditional love!.
2007-10-01 08:41:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is the function of Unconditional Love to unite all things, all personalities unto itself, and to hold all things together by extending it's wholeness. It doesn't matter how much distance we have tried to interpose between our awareness and the Truth of Unconditional Love. When we know we are full, nothing lacking, nothing threatened, nothing hidden because the act of forgiveness has cleared away the cloud of guilt, there is nothing to want from Love but to extend it, share it and feel it's Strength and redeeming Power. It has everything to do with unlearning fear. This includes fear of not being loved in return! FEAR is the enemy......
There will be a test on this, so come on people, study hard on freedom of Spirit!!!
Luv you oyster.......with metta.....
2007-10-01 08:59:43 · answer #8 · answered by Valerie C 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Where does it come from.
It is always all prevading, we live and breath in it.
Do we have to create it.
It is always already there.
How should we behave toward people who give it to us.
At-one with them
Can we learn to exercise or develop it ourselves.
It is you, you are the isness of love, which is unconditional
What are the best ways
Be, be who you are, know thyself, be that one.
Blessings to you Arjuna
2007-10-01 12:53:57 · answer #9 · answered by Astro 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unconditional Love comes from the Universal creator of all and above all thing that which I speak of IS LOVE.
love is an awareness. Although pure "being" is Love...when we awaken to conscious LOVE we are co-creators in pushing the threshold of love in this earthly realm.
To those that give us (I prefer "radiate love') Love we should speak to that love in them. Namaste.
Meditation on the ways of love...brings new understanding and ways of expressing LOVE....it places us in a present awareness of LOVE POSSIBILITIES.
The best way is to consciously decide to be open to LOVE in all it's manifestations. To see beyond eyes hear beyond ears.
All the best Yahoo questions are LOVE centered...I never get bored with them♥
2007-10-01 14:19:41 · answer #10 · answered by someone 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋