A young novice asking his master out of his curiosity
- Novice Monk: Master, why is it that for some, love feels like a soft spring breeze, while for others, it brings a pain that numbs their heart?
- Master: It’s simply because the way they express their love is different, but the difference between them is not that much.
- Novice Monk: It seems like both are very happy… So why the pain?
- Master: Yes, people generally recognize only two kinds of love. One kind heals all wounds, while the other leaves you sick beyond cure.
- Master: The love that heals is selfless, pure, and free from attachment. It is a love that brings peace, grows in the heart, and offers freedom. But the love that hurts is often tied to expectations, desires, and fear of loss. It can suffocate the soul and cloud the heart.
- Novice Monk: So, is it the same love?
- Master: Yes, it is the same force, but how we hold it determines whether it lifts us or burdens us. Love, in its purest form, is like water. When allowed to flow freely, it nourishes everything it touches. But if it is trapped or controlled, it can drown.
- Master: The key is to let love flow with balance—without possessiveness or fear. When love is given freely, it heals. When love is clung to desperately, it can hurt.
- Novice Monk: So, it’s not love that hurts… it’s how we hold onto it?
- Master: Exactly. The love that heals is the love that let go. Love is not a force that can be controlled—it is a force that flows. It can heal or hurt, depending on how we choose to hold it. The power lies in our ability to let go. It is not bound by expectations or outcomes. It simply is, and in its presence, we find peace.
Love and human relationships are intricate, with people experiencing a wide range of emotions—some uplifting, others painful. Love can feel like a warm, peaceful breeze, bringing joy and serenity, or it can be overwhelming, suffocating, and cause emotional and even physical distress. How we meet and connect with others plays a pivotal role in shaping our experience of love. Though the outcomes may seem vastly different, the essence of love—its potential for both happiness and sorrow—remains the same. The difference in experience often stems from factors like timing, compatibility, or the way we approach love. Despite these outward contrasts, both individuals in each situation may find happiness, possibly because they’ve discovered what they needed in the relationship, whether it’s healing, fulfillment, or something else—regardless of the pain or ease involved. The nature of the relationship and how individuals navigate it, as well as how they interpret the love they share, determines whether it is redemptive or damaging. Experiencing these different kinds of love is an essential part of growing.
What kind of love have you experienced? Have you found your true love yet?
I hope and wish that your heart is filled with love.
