The word ‘love’ has no competitor whatsoever. It stands unrivalled as the most misused, misunderstood and abused word in the world. Across borders, we mistake infatuation for love and do not genuinely understand the commonly used expression – ‘I love you!’

What is labelled as love is a form of attachment; it is not love. Attachment overlooks the faults in another, for future benefits or gains. Love, on the contrary, recognizes flaws, but accepts them. It is only when you see yourself in everybody, that you can love everybody, at all times. This is the difference between love and attachment.

At a higher level, spiritual knowledge sees the self in one as the Self in all. When we realize this, we experience constant and continuous love. Love means union, love is oneness. We experience love, the moment we feel a sense of oneness, a sense of identity, with anyone.

When we identify with the Eternal, we recognise and love the Eternal in the beloved. This permanent love present in God, alone is everlasting. Do not misunderstand that as love for, ‘Someone up there’ but look for God in yourself. When we discover God within ourselves, we recognise God in everyone.

Usually, we find people waiting to get love, few want to give love. To be loved, may take lifetimes, but to give love is your choice. Swami Chinmayananda says, “Just give, give, give, give ….” In giving, you are a master; in receiving, a slave. True love is just giving – without any expectations.

Love also expresses as concern for the beloved, akin to mothers who constantly dwell on the well-being of their children. Love is being ever ready to respond to the needs, joys and happiness of the beloved.

Further, a clear understanding of the beloved is important. The love for the Self is spontaneous. It has no demands, not even the necessity for closeness. Sant Kabirdas succinctly points out: “The Street of Love is very narrow, it cannot accommodate two; when I was, there was no God; now there is God, but I am not. We can walk the path of love only when we become one in love.

Once we know this oneness, we experience God-love, which is both spontaneous and permanent. It requires no effort; it is not something that is because of something. The moment we discover this capacity for love, we understand it is timeless and everlasting. Even if we do not see the beloved; even if the beloved does not respond, there is a sense of fulfilment, for love is not in receiving; it is in…just loving.

In that moment of love, lies eternity. Once you discover that love in your bosom, you cannot but be like God, and love others. Love is your privilege; to love is your nature; to love is happiness. We have no choice, but to love. We see this unconditional love in all saints and sages – and in God.

How do we know that God loves us? In Japji Sahib, Guru Nanak states beautifully, “The Giver eternally gives, while receivers grow weary of receiving. Through the ages, His creation continues to enjoy and receive His bounties but does not reciprocate.

In conclusion, love that One in everyone, that one alone, who gives love for love because in Him there is no selfishness. In that Godly love, experience eternal love. To discover the Permanent, discover Infinity, learn the subtle art of how not to ‘fall’ in love but to ‘rise’ in love.