I have been keenly aware of how much I have missed our coming together during these past months; when we were traveling and then with the current medical procedures.
One thing about love, it constantly wants to express itself. As I have often said, love is both a noun and a verb. First, it is like the sea, a state of Being content within its expansive Self. And second, love is like a flowing river, always moving and expressing itself. In realizing God you simultaneously and easily have both aspects of love.
I remember the charming and instructive story of Papa; he had a cold and Mataji kept him wrapped up and gave instructions he was not to meet with devotees. Papa was pacing back and forth and finally said, “Sometimes Ramdas must do what he must do!” And he went out to talk with the devotees who sincerely desired to see him.
When I was going to meet with you all for our Christmas/New Years’ Service I too was lovingly warned not to do it, it was too soon after the operation. However, God within would not be denied. I started out the Service with a hoarse voice, but then later I was told that it grew to full strength as the talk proceeded. When God gives to you through this form, He also gives to me. I feel the river of love effortlessly flowing through me, and I too receive, even as it is given.
This is the great secret of love, the more we give, the more we receive. If out of fear and resentment we do not give, then we do not receive. This is never truer than our relationships with husbands, wives, children, parents or past best friends. It is true we can have our expectations dashed to the ground by others, especially those close to us. But, to choose cutting off the flow of love because of pain and disappointment we have had means that we sentence ourselves to a barren existence that dries up the very love we seek.
Courage means that we give love, even when it is not returned; that we even give love for hate, to love our enemy. This does not make us a “doormat” that can be stepped upon and be used by others, for this does neither them nor us any good. But, inwardly we do not close off our hearts even to those who have abused and betrayed our trust; for who needs love more than those who have closed hearts.
So let us pray for and love all of this world, just as it is. We see those who are filled with anger, hurt and fear that seek to hurt others in retaliation. However, as an author said of Mahatma Gandhi’s ahimsa philosophy, An eye-for-eye and tooth-for-tooth would lead to a world of the blind and toothless. All healing begins with love and wisdom, and healing ends with an immersion into love and wisdom. We may protect ourselves, but let us always be guided first by love, and not retaliate with anger for anger that perpetuates an endless cycle. Rather, wisely give love for anger for the resolution of yours and the world’s ills.