How do I find true love within?

[absvan]

I have read n number of articles and books that talk about finding love by going within - True love will only be found within and when you find it you will experience unconditional love.

How do I find love within? Is that the stage of enlightment? Has anybody experienced any such feeling during meditation/inner awareness?? I truly appreciate your guidance.

[ZHereford]

Originally Posted by absvan

How do I find love within?

Hi Absvan,
Loving yourself begins with self-acceptance and recognizing that you are a worthy being who has much to offer. It means appreciating your unique characteristics and striving to meet your potential.

I talk about this here Love Yourself. Have a look.

[Akashic_Librarian]

Recently I have started to love myself and today I went out with thie amazing, pretty girl. I haven't had a date since forever, literally, I have never been out with a girl...and suddenly this pretty girl just shows up out of nowhere, in two weeks we practiacally love each other haha (maybe not LOVE love) So I ask her out and she says YES haha...


And all from loving myself. Look in the mirror and say...

"I like the way I am, but I could be better"

[InJoy]

An interesting idea about this was put forth in this thread. I've only just begun to implement it, but was impressed with my results within just a few minutes of trying it.

[absvan]

I still dont get it. Youre responses are talking about love which derives from self esteem. I am talking about the state of pure love which one feels ---may be when enlightened??? Dont know??

I have read in a lot of books/articles where one can mediate and go into a state of pure love. When I meditate, I go into a state of relaxation. How do I get into the state of love? Hope that makes sense.

[absvan]

I still dont get it. Youre responses are talking about love which derives from self esteem. I am talking about the state of pure love which one feels ---may be when enlightened??? Dont know??

I have read in a lot of books/articles where one can mediate and go into a state of pure love. When I meditate, I go into a state of relaxation. How do I get into the state of love? Hope that makes sense.

[InJoy]

Originally Posted by absvan

I still dont get it. Youre responses are talking about love which derives from self esteem. I am talking about the state of pure love which one feels ---may be when enlightened??? Dont know??

I have read in a lot of books/articles where one can mediate and go into a state of pure love. When I meditate, I go into a state of relaxation. How do I get into the state of love? Hope that makes sense.

Actually, Absvan, it might behoove you to read the downloadable books that are linked in that thread. She talks directly about this issue of love vs. self-esteem, and gives a practical (super easy) exercise to access both.

[absvan]

Injoy,

I had read those before you had even responded to me first. Those links talk about making your own ego happy. They dont work at all level. Whatever gives you happiness today might give you sorrow tomorrow. What would you do then?? The concep of magic pill is nothing but "Count your blessings".

What I am talking about is unconditional love which stays the same no matter what. I dont recall the books/articles but you might find it in the power of intentions. Oh well....I think I will keep doing some soul searching Thanks for your response.

[ethereal]

I think the state of unconditional love and the state of nonattachment and the state of absolute freedom are one and the same. When you don't need to change anything and you accept everything as it is, and see the perfection of all that exists, even the so-called "bad" -- they are the perfect expression of "badness" -- then unconditional love naturally prevails.

Dr. Hawkins talks about "living in the space (of conscious awareness) prior to thought/thinkingness", which is kind of like being the witness/observer. You surrender the experiencing, and just let it happen -- experiencing is impersonal, there is no "you" needed, so you stop trying to control the next instant of experiencing and juicing it with thoughts/opinions (which is what the ego naturally does). You notice everything spontaneously arising, and you surrender it all as it arises and refuse to judge or comment or make an opinion about it. You see everything is being what it is, and you discern the essence of Divinity that is underlying our normal perceptions, and you learn to love everything as the expression of Divinity manifested as that. I guess you don't really "learn" it, but it just comes to you when all judgments and preconceptions are released.

I had a lot of trouble with it before (and still do!), so it does take some practice and focus. I think staying nonattached to everything and remaining as the witness/awareness of consciousness/existence is the fastest way to that state of being, though all types of spiritual work in general will take you there sooner or later.

[DaveTyler]

True what ethereal said, Ive experienced unconditional love, it requires thoughts, beliefs and opinions to be gone.
The times Ive felt it, I havent been able to think, and thats a good thing, but then the mind kinda automatically begins to try to make sense of why you are loving it all and then you "fall" temporarily back into the normal ego thinking and you just want to kill yourself...
So basically, when you have achieved this once, you have to continue going for it cause you will never find peace in your ego again.
It can be a little scary at first, as you believe your completely lost, its as if your mind truely died, but its the only real peace that exist, and its your only true purpose in life to achieve this higher states of consciousness, so go for it.

[Cantando]

How do I find true love within?
Stop looking. Just gently keep that home fire of hope burning and don't throw too much fuel on it. Don't concentrate on it, otherwise it won't happen.

[DaveTyler]

True you can't force it, read about enlightenment is the best advice I can give