Beyond Sentimentality

"If I were God, I certainly wouldn't want people to love me sentimentally. It's too unreliable."

-- Teddy in J.D. Salinger's short story "Teddy"

In our culture we too often mistake sentimentality for love. We almost universally equate attachment with love.

Love is neither sentimentality nor attachment. Love is ruthless! Love is totally fierce and unconditional. It is a blazing fire, not a warm bath.

True love is not even an emotion -- it is a state of consciousness. It is a state of heart-on-fire, unconditional positive regard. It requires nothing in response, nothing in return. Love is never bartered or exchanged, it is always given freely, almost uncontrollably.

In a certain state of consciousness, at a certain point in time, you realize that love is the only rational way to approach everyone, to approach life. You don't pick and choose whom to love -- you either love all or none at all. You become love rather than give love.

And in that sense, you become God. A simple equation: God = love. You are love. You=God. Quit blushing! You knew it all along, you were just so willing to play along with the prevalent mindset that sees us all as separate sinners. Who knows why? Thank God, those days are over.

So, now, it's all about love. Love for God. Love for everyone. Love for yourself. No discrimination. Only love. Here, there; now, everywhere. What else is there? Nothing. Just love.