We waste so much of our time in trying to be correct and perfect and in trying to win the attention and approval of others. We also expect the same perfection from others, especially those whom we consider to be important in our lives. As parents we expect a lot of perfection from our children. We want them to grow into responsible human beings and bring good name to themselves and to their family. We follow a similar pattern of our behavior in most of our relationships. We structure our relationships depending upon how people meet our expectation or live according to the standards we believe are appropriate and correct. We categorize and stereotype people depending upon our moral, ethical and social standards. Our relationships and attitude towards others is conditioned by our knowledge, expectations, opinions, fears, needs and experience. If people meet with our standards, we like them and befriend them. Otherwise we avoid them or criticize them. Such an attitude is no where more evident than among the deeply religious. Religion inculcates a sense of morality that is difficult to erase.

Those who try to be perfect or virtuous or humanely moral, forget to cultivate the wonderful capacity of unconditional love, which is inherent in us and which if allowed to express itself would enable us to love every one and let go of everything in the most selfless way. In our eagerness to be something and have something, we build around ourselves a boundary that we rarely attempt to erase. In trying to find security and identity we build walls around ourselves and become prisoners of our own actions, losing sight of our innate ability to accept and appreciate ourselves and the world unconditionally as they are. We cease to see the divinity in ourselves as well as in ours. As the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad declares, "It is not for the love of all that all is dear; but for the love of the Soul in the all that all is dear."

If there is one virtue which we all are supposed to cultivate and manifest in our lives, it is the wonderful virtue of loving every one and every thing that is infused with the wondrous light of God. What is the use of being a vegetarian, or being virtuous, or of being morally correct, if our hearts are incapable of loving the creation of God unconditionally? What is the use of all our knowledge of the world and its things, when we are incapable, in our hearts, of loving humanity unconditionally? We may study scriptures and participate in intellectual debates, but it will serve no purpose if we do not have a loving heart. We may judge others based on the religious morality we learn. But is of no use in our own spiritual development, if we do not follow it ourselves and validate it based upon our own experience. Religious dogma is not meant to develop blind adherence, but rather a deep curiosity to search for truth.

If there is one virtue that can take us beyond the human plane, it is our infinite capacity to love every one and every thing that is a part of this beautiful creation. The day you go beyond all judgments and learn to accept people and things for what they are, you have earned the right to reach the abode of God. The day you stop acting morally superior and accept the entire creation for what it is, you become the rightful heir to the throne of superior wisdom.

As human beings we all have our weaknesses. We are incapable of exhibiting the virtuous qualities of God in our ordinary selves. But our weaknesses and imperfections can be overcome if we strive to transcend our lower nature with abundant faith and love in God and cultivate the single most important virtue of unconditional love. Unconditional love can arise only in a mind that is truly detached, that has no preferences and is established in equanimity.

So learn to love people and things unconditionally by cultivating detachment and equanimity of the mind. Accept every thing that comes into your life as a part of divine creation and as a part of your destiny. Build relationships on the basis of not mutual satisfaction of wants and interests, but on the strength of unconditional love, without expecting anything in return.

First begin with those who might have given you a lot of trouble in your life, caused you some damage or hurt your feelings. Learn to forgive them and let go of your feelings of hurt and indignation. Radiate your love towards one and all as you start the day. Be forgiving and helpful. If you start practicing these suggestions, slowly you develop a compassionate heart which will open the doors of unconditional love to you. Unconditional love is the simplest and easiest path to the heaven of bliss and immortality.

Love Unconditionally

Suggested Further Reading