True love is altruistic and unconditional

What is true love? People may have different definitions of it, but many of us must agree that true love is altruistic and unconditional; it means love to others without expecting something in return from them. But we human beings find it (giving) so difficult as we want a return for everything we give, including love.

We begin to expect things. From that expectation, comes need, even jealousy and also attachment – the notion that we deserve to get back something because of our love that we give to others, and then unhappiness is experienced when our expectations are not met.

If we expect something in return of giving anything, is it really love? Certainly not. Because, the first and foremost aspect of true love is the pure intention and capacity to offer joy and happiness without any condition. To develop that capacity, we have to practise looking at the Mother Nature.

Nature expresses itself as giving unconditional love in everything it gives to others. It gives abundantly altruistically and unconditionally, and also almost indiscriminately. We can observe examples of such expression in trees that provide oxygen, shade and shelter to all impartially (even to those who cut its branches or even cut it down completely) and in the sun that nourishes the earth every day, rising and setting unfailingly.

What will happen if all of Nature’s elements start asking for a return for their services? What will occur if we had and have to pay taxes to get sunlight or the air to breathe? Life would not have been possible and won’t be possible on earth.

Because, Nature’s way of working is to give, it has everything in abundance. It never asks for a return. Sun gives light to everybody; trees give shade to all, and water satisfies thirst of all creatures and wets everything that comes in its contact.

This happens because they follow and act according to their real nature. Similarly, the real and essential nature of human being is that of love, peace and bliss. When we realise our real and essential nature, we will become “love personified” and we won’t have to keep any conditions for giving our love to others.

But, when we forget the essence of our true essential and original spiritual nature, we indulge in competition and one-upmanship in the everyday rush of life. And the only way to be free again is to realise our self and treat others as ourselves and start being selfless and giving altruistically and unconditionally.

The more we give selflessly, the happier we will feel and receive the returns automatically. The returns are manifold when something is done without expectations. And that is love in the real sense, which generates true happiness.

Sister Shivani, Brahma Kumaris