love is freedom

When I say love is freedom, I mean that when you experience unconditional love, you can't help but be free in that moment. My guru taught me this. She is the embodiment of unconditional love. Check out this video about her: www.kashi.org/majaya

Photo: Sri Sri Sri ek sah Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

Over this Fourth of July, I meditated on the idea of freedom. And I came to the understanding that love, unconditional, love, authentic love...is what gives us freedom. It liberates us. Someone wisely said, "love will set you free." Of course this is not a new thought, it is an idea we've all heard before, but somewhere it settled deep in my heart and I remembered and experienced it again.

This is my true love...

Here's some thoughts on love...

Love is patient and kind.

It is not jealous nor conceited nor proud;

love is not ill-mannered, it does not seek its own advantage and is not irritable.

Love does not keep a record of wrong, is not happy with evil, but rejoices in the truth.

Love is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure.

- St. Paul

My two dogs fill my heart with unconditional love as do most animals. Pets can be so fulfilling to the lonely heart. They don't ask for much, but return the favor with loyalty and love. Its so simple, but true.

If you could imagine that there was a flame and that it was shining through a large, intricately faceted diamond, there would be a myriad of reflections dancing all around it. Now imagine you are one of those refractions of light and that this flame is the supreme consciousness from which all in existence comes from. Some call that supreme consciousness God or Allah or Christ or Buddha or Love.

So the next time you're curious about what it means to be free, first try to feel love or understanding or kindness in your heart for the next person you see, no matter who they are. And just look into their eyes and give them a little, mysterious smile...for no reason other than because you can. It may seem hard to imagine doing this with a stranger, but if you can transcend that fear, you get a little gift, because someone may reflect that smile right back. And then, you've just experienced unconditional love in its simplest form.

namaste.