Enter this sanctuary time by settling down, becoming quiet, and breathing deeply a few breaths. Remind yourself you are in the Presence of Love. This place you are entering, within, is the inner Temple. Here, you are One with Spirit and all persons, and Nature. You may use a mantra, or prayer phrase, follow the breathing in-and-out, or witness the arising and falling of all around you as the manifestation of universal-Grace. Enjoy these moments of Quiet and come out when you are ready. The following video is provided, for those who would like meditative music to accompany your Quiet contemplation:

*Kokin Gumi. Zen Garden.

People who have the most to teach us are often the ones who reflect back to us the limits to our own capacity to love, those who consciously or unconsciously challenge our fearful positions. They show us our walls. Our walls are our wounds - the places where we feel we can't love any more, can't connect any more deeply, can't forgive past a certain point. We are in each other's lives to help us see where we most need healing, and in order to help us heal.

*Marianne Williamson. A Return to Love.

You're not here to fix anyone; you're only here to love the person.

*Arem Nahariim-Samadhi.

I prepared to wash my dearest friend's feet in her home, following Jesus' example of serving his friends by washing their feet. I wanted to do this as a sign of unconditional Love for my friend.

I knew we had differences; I knew our relationship was potentially near ending over them. Sometimes, persons can truly love each other, but their lifetyle choices do not match enough to maintain the same form of closeness. I knew that, and was prepared to let go of the relationship peacefully.

Near the end of this rite, my friend looked into my eyes. She said, "I'm looking at Love." I did not want to receive this in a personal way, but honoring what she saw only. If there was this Love she was seeing, the Love was only a gift in and through me, not something I myself possessed in any way.

Later, in the evening and after readdressing one of the differences we had, I left the room where we were talking. I was admitting the relationship was over, at least for then. Before resting some to get ready to leave on the long trip home, I was preparing a fruit dish. My dear friend came to the entrance of the room and angrily spoke out: "I have one last thing to say to you. You're a selfish ass!"

I hurried up in gathering belongings. I went outside, walked to the wood and prayed and gave the situation to the Spirit. I walked back toward the home, stood and prayed for my friend and all in the home. I left, stopping on the way out, and praying once more.

Somoeone could ask a logial question. That question: "Why did you not get furious back at this person, someone treating you that way, telling you something so ugly?" And: "How were you so peaceful, when you left?" Well, years before, I would have followed this friend and been yelling, defending myself. You know that ego-defense aggression, "How dare you...!"

I was able to see compassionately. No, I did not feel good about what was said to me. Yes, I was amazed that a person could go from looking at "seeing Love" to "you're a selfish ass" in less than one hour.

I was able to see then, and do now, that the "you're a selfish ass" was not about me. This was about the frustration and pain of the other person. The friend's response to me was from the suffering of her past, and had little, if anything, to do with what was occuring in that moment between her and me, in any objective way.

Today, looking back on the scene, I am at peace about it. I have no reason to love this person any less than I did before she and I parted ways. I remember this person with thankfulness and pray for her often.

I can see more into her suffering that led her to see Love and then pure selfishness in the same person in such a short span of time. I see into my like suffering, and see into the like suffering of the world. She and I have both been deeply hurt. Like her, I have hurt others out of my pain. Who has not?

To be open to continue loving another person, regardless of how he or she has acted hurtfully toward you, that is your path of freedom. That person has invited you to extend your capacity to Love and forgive. The relationship may have shifted, but that does not mean you are to close your heart to the person. We are never to close the heart to anyone.

To offer a financial Love Gift, write briankwilcox@yahoo.com .
Thank You!

©Arem Nahariim-Samadhi and Love Light Ministries. 02/12/11