The Power of Love
Bhikkhu Pesala
Few emotions have a more powerful effect on people’s lives than love. Feeling unloved is the most common reason for depression, and being “in love” radically alters one’s view of the world — “Everyone loves a lover” as they say. Films, plays, and books of love stories are often more successful than those on other topics. The practice of love is essential to the spiritual life in all religions. “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
The Power of Love
