Out beyond ideas of rightdoing and wrongdoing, there is a field.
I will meet you there. – Rumi
I believe Rumi’s field is the space in our hearts where Love resides. To find this field, we need to listen deeply for the voice of Love, where judgment and fear do not exist. The Bhagavad Gita (Hindu scripture) says we need to meditate on “words that give us peace, words that are good and beautiful and true.” The Dhammapada (Buddhist scripture) says, “Better than a thousand useless words is one single word that gives us peace.” And the Bible says, “For it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”
Fear speaks to us constantly, barraging us with thoughts that make us feel angry, anxious, and stressed out, persuading us to act in ways that are less than loving. Love’s voice is quieter but gives us words of wisdom that make us feel happy and at ease. To hear Love, we need to silence our fears and ask, What Would Love Say?
Love is capitalized here to highlight the immense power it possesses. Love is the strongest force in our universe, yet we allow fear to have far more influence. We need to be very conscious of fear so that we can stop its power and choose Love instead. As we increasingly opt for Love, our experience of life and relationships will be much easier and more joyful.
Fear lives in our heads as a discomforting voice, a voice that feels bad to us. We continue to be duped by fear, because it is familiar and plays off our smallest, most insignificant sense of self – our ego. Fear knows only the polarity of right and wrong, declaring that we were born in sin and need to be punished. Right and wrong thinking create a duality in which we are constantly at battle.
Love lives in our hearts as a comforting voice, a voice that feels good to us. Love knows only the convergence of all that is, proclaiming that we were born innocent and need to be accepted, no matter what. Love allows. Love creates unity in which we are able to come together and find peace in ourselves, our relationships, and our world. All we need to do is rise above fear and listen to the message of Love in our hearts.
Each month, this column will feature a “Message from Love” with an action step and meditation. Each message gives examples of what Love might say and do in various circumstances. So, whenever you find yourself feeling scared, angry, or uncomfortable, instead of letting fear have its way, practice asking yourself, What Would Love Say?
What would Love Say?
“Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen carefully.” – from The Land Before Time
What would Love Do?
Before making any decision, drop into your heart, place a hand on it and ask, “What would Love say to me about this?”
Meditation on Love:
Sit quietly for 10 minutes. Place your hand on your heart and breathe gently in and out. As you exhale, gently whisper the word, “Love.” Ask Love to flow deeply in and out of your heart. After a few minutes, listen to what your heart has to say. Ask Love to guide your thoughts and your way.
