L E A R N I N G     T O     L O V E

Reprinted from September 15, 1989 Volume V Issue 4 of 

T H E    N E T    O F     L O V E

SUNRISE:  AN INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING  ORGANIZATION


1. Totally forget self and think beyond self --- yet LOVE SELF

2. Love and understand and accept your own being and nature in spite of 
the imperfections.  If you can achieve unconditional love of your own 
self, it is easier to give this to others.

3.  Mentally think of yourself and others in different stages of 
evolution.  Some are seeds lying in the dark soils of life.  Others are 
struggling to break out of the Earth's crust.  Some are growing and 
unfolding in light.  Some are struggling against insects and other 
external forces.  Some are weak and shrivelling - near death, either 
physically, mentally, or spiritually.  Some are young blooms, ready to 
open and others are beautiful flowers in full bloom.  Still others have 
evolved to the point of physical death and decay and are unfolding on a 
different level.  All people are on different levels.

4.  Think of people as created spirit of the SOURCE  of ALL LIFE and know 
that beneath the shell of seeming imperfection and flaws there lives 
something perfect and beautiful awaiting to be released.

5.  Don't wait for feelings of what you consider love feelings.  This type 
of love is one of wisdom and will grow through conscious knowledge that 
others have perfection, potential, and growth within.

6. Love means being just a little gentler and easier on yourself and 
others.  Allow yourself and others to flow and grow rather than boxing 
yourself (and them) in with narrow sets of limitations and standards.  
Guide and discipline and use proper judgment when needed -- but to all 
things out of concern and true caring;  NOT resentment, anger, pain, or 
other negative junk.

7.  Work on loving "ME" and "YOU" --  and all else will fall into place.

Thus, in realizing these abilities you will have a different view of 
yourself and others.  For example, if you view a person as a spirit of 
God, a part of God, how can you not love that person?  For if you do not 
love him, are you not also saying you do not love God?   It has to do with 
a change in your thinking and attitude about who you (and others) really 
are.  It has to do with understanding that others are on different growth 
levels.  You may not be able to love a  man who is exhibiting bad 
behavior, but perhaps you could learn to love the flower that lies 
somewhere in the darkness within him, and your love could be the water ( 
or the light ) which starts the flower or seed to begin to grow.  Love is 
not really being wishy-washy or a goody-two shoes, or always smiling 
sweetly, or never getting angry, nor does it mean faking feelings.  Love 
IS.