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"Make love now, by night and by day, in winter and in summer. . .You are in the world for that and the rest of life is nothing but vanity, illusion, waste. There is only one science--love; one riches--love; only one policy--love. To make love is all the law and the prophets."
Anatole France
It's simple, really: active love = compassion. Ever heard the Sanskrit word "ahimsa?" Ahimsa contains two characteristics. The first is dynamic harmlessness. Let your inner guidance show you where you are being harmful in the world; then make the choice to cease that behavior. Can it get any simpler? The second characteristic is "Help where you can. Be available, not pushy." Be open to service. Ahimsa asks some things of you: first, willingness. If you are willing to love actively, opportunities will present themselves on a continual basis. How you deal with them determines your level of commitment. It also asks you to be honest with yourself. That may be the toughest challenge you face. Active love can be a true taskmaster. And even though the path of active love may seem selfless, actually it is the most self-indulgent path of all. Why? Because we can't outgive the universe. Everything comes around, full measure, pressed down and running over. Ultimately, everything you do in service to others is actually for yourself. Interesting, eh?? "He who seeks to secure the good of others has already secured his own." Confucius You might want to read, or re-read, the famous Love Chapter in the Bible. Check out 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. No matter your religious persuasion, this little treatise applies. If you're ready to step up to the next level of spiritual, emotional, and mental growth, active love is your key. But don't take this journey lightly. It requires fortitude and determination. You have a lifetime of habits and complaints that will do their best to talk you out of this trip. Don't listen. The payoff is...well, I think I'll let you find that out for yourself. Don't worry, you'll like it! Good journey to you and Happy Holidays. "Grow in any direction and joy as well as pain will be your reward. The only alternative is to not live fully, or not to live at all." M. Scott Peck --- *Since the Civil War, when people on both sides were called upon to support the efforts financially, organizations have been pumping the US population (and Canada) for charitable donations. By the turn of the 20th Century, America was collecting and disbursing several hundred million dollars a year to charities at home and, to some degree, abroad. WWI and WWII saw an upsurge of giving and by the 1950s the US lead the world in giving to foreign based organizations, including the United Nations charities. No country in the history of the world has had a more charitable population than the US. (Sources include the UN, United Way, and other organizations.) I might add, tax incentives have helped. Go To Page: 1 2
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