Page 314 - The Truth Landscape Format 2020 1st Draft 19_01_2020

When we need others, we cannot love them unconditionally. This might be difficult to comprehend at first, but deep thought and observation will prove it to
be true. Being able to love without conditions is a basic prerequisite for both a happy life and spiritual evolution.

Selfless Love for One Person

An essential stage in the evolution of love is being able to love others regardless of their behaviour. Probably the closest most of us have come to experiencing
such love is towards our children. There are some parents who have totally selfless love for their children. They maintain steady love for their child even if he
or she does not live up to the parents’ expectations, even if he or she rejects and abuses the parents, and even if he or she becomes a dangerous criminal.

This love is not universal nor is it totally unconditional because there is one condition, that the other is my child and not someone else’s. We might also
experience this type of selfless love for a significant other person when he or she is our student or under our responsibility. This type of love often has to do
with the role of feeling responsibility for someone. It enables us to accept all types of behaviour from others and continue accepting and loving them with
understanding and compassion.

Universal Selfless Love

The next stage is to expand our feelings of unconditional love and acceptance to a wider circle of people and eventually to all beings - including animals,
plants and insects.

We are focused on the temporary form being occupied by these beings; thus we feel a sense of sadness when they experience suffering or unhappiness, or if
and when we lose them.

Those who experience this universal selfless love often choose careers or lifestyles that allow them to serve the whole in some way. They may join service
groups such as the Samaritans, Peace Corps or other voluntary service organisations. They feel a need to express that love through actions which improve the
quality of life for those around them, especially for those who are suffering, lonely or unhappy.

Their interest expands beyond the limits of themselves and their immediate family. They begin to realise that all beings are brothers and sisters in one spiritual
family of all humanity. As their awareness grows, they perceive even animals, plants and insects as belonging to their family. They seek to express this love
through acts of service and care.

Page314