In the spirit of a revolutionary V-day, here is a short collection of quotes on the spiritual and liberatory aspects of Love.
The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom. - bell hooks
An honorable human relationship, one in which people have the right to use the word love, is a process of deepening the truths they can tell each other. It is important to do this because it breaks down human self-delusion and isolation - Adrienne Rich
Ahimsa is the practice of non-violence, which includes physical, mental, and emotional violence towards others and the self. We create violence most often in our reactions to events and others, habitually creating judgment, criticism, anger or irritation. (from here)..
Protecting ourselves and others does not violate ahimsa. Practicing ahimsa means we take responsibility for our own harmful behavior and attempt to stop the harm caused by others.… Practicing true ahimsa springs from the clear intention to act with clarity and love. (from here)
there is a deeper love between and amongst our people that lies buried between the lines of the roles we play with each other. it is the earth beneath the floorboards of our homes. we must split wood, dig bare-fisted into the packed dirt to find out what we really have to hold in our hands as ground. - Cherríe Moraga
I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being. - Hafiz
After heartbreaks and mistakes and vulnerabilities, I am not jaded about love. In fact, I believe in love more than I ever have before. My love is not homonormative, it is not love that fits into binaries, and it is not love that promises to complete a half moon. My love is queer and stunning and radical. My love respects who you are and doesn't try to change you. My love listens to you. My love is an eternal student. I dream of loving with a decolonized heart. I dream of full moon love. I dream of love that makes our ancestors sing with joy and wonder. - Yumi Tomsha
The role of the artist is exactly the same as the role of the lover. If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don’t see. - James Baldwin
Love is a state of Being. Your love is not outside; it is deep within you. You can never lose it, and it cannot leave you... Love is not selective, just as the light of the sun is not selective. - Eckhart Tolle
There are four elements of true love.
- The first is maitri: loving-kindness or benevolence. Loving-kindness is not only the desire to make someone happy, to bring joy to a beloved person; it is the ability to bring joy and happiness to the person you love, because even if your intention is to love this person, your love might make him or her suffer.
- The second element of true love is compassion, karuna. This is not only the desire to ease the pain of another person, but the ability to do so.
- The third element of true love is joy, or mudita. If there is no joy in love, it is not true love.
- The fourth element of true love is upeksha, equanimity or freedom. In true love, you attain freedom. When you love, you bring freedom to the person you love… not only outside but also inside. – Thich Nhat Hanh
