Agape Love

Mornin'

Agape love - selfless love of one person for another without sexual implications (especially love that is spiritual in nature). - www.thefreedictionary.com/agape+love‎

I am sure you are all aware of the love you extend to you spouse, child, friend, parent, and even your higher power. This usually includes varying degrees of agape love. What often goes overlooked but is the most difficult yet crucial aspects of a complete spiritual life is the love of an enemy or someone who simply does not view life the way you do.

There is an abundance of reasons why we think we should not like someone. Is it something they said or did to us that keeps the poison of resentment surging through our veins. Or is it just that they seem to be different in so many ways? It could be a physical, psychological, or emotional difference. Whatever reasons you give for shutting someone out or bickering with them every chance you get, there simply is no reason to entertain the concept of "contempt prior to investigation".

The only way to truly get to know another individual and find out what really makes them tick is to transcend the obstacle of fear. Whether it be the fear or rejection or retribution, this obstacle must be overcome if we are to know the real beauty that resides in every human being.

Each person, no matter how sinister their thoughts and actions are, has a unique place or "soft spot" in their soul which beauty resides. This place is much more difficult to see and accept in the individual who prides themselves on their murderous rampages or bullying others to act a certain way. I understand this. In order to forgive individuals of this sort and even begin to uncover the beauty in their souls, we must first start with other less intense situations that we find ourselves in with other people.

As with anything else we try to master in life, we need to begin with the basics and work our way up to the worst of the worst. Remember, all this begins and ends with a commitment to put our selfish desires aside so we can do the work that is oftentimes far more important than our wants. This is a need if ever we want to exude the love we see in the people that have gone before us.

In my experience with this putting aside self to try to understand and love those who I never thought I could love, other people seemed to improve. What really happened was that my attitude and outlook changed but the only physical evidence was in my interactions with other people. Along with increased compatibility in my improved relations with others, I lost a lot of the feelings that I was apart from instead of apart of a wide swath of individuals.

My increased love and interaction with folks I would not typically "hang out with" has added much positive energy to my daily routine. I enjoy other people's company more because I understand them better. I don't even have to understand them these days to love them in an agape kind of way. Agape love teaches me to love another individual unconditionally. Just as I need others to accept me for exactly who I am, so do I need to accept them for who they are. Love is such a highly protected concept. Too many people are unwilling to freely give it to others.

There are certainly degrees of love we can give to one another. The love you give your child, spouse, or parent may not seem to be the same kind you give a emotionally challenged person on the bus or in the grocery store. The fact remains that love takes on many forms but the core concept of love never changes. It is a strong or constant affection for a person. The only things that stand in our way of truly expressing our love for all people is our pride, ego, and our agenda. Take time to open your heart to the agape love that transcends all other human emotion.

Peace