What is love?

Love is not an emotion, although we have an emotional response to it. Love is a force, an energy. In its purest form, it is the energy that makes up the All. Until it comes through the ego, through the wounded self, it is unconditional.

And what creates the wounded self? Receiving love that is not unconditional. By continuing to filter things through the ego, we perpetuate a cycle of wounding. I don’t know that any human being can generate unconditional love, but by loving more consciously, and by connecting with the unconditional love of the Universe more consciously, we can start to unravel patterns that have been centuries in the making.

So let’s start by accessing the love to which we do have conscious access. How many different types of love have you experienced in your life? How many types of love are present in your life right now? Make a list today or all of the types of love you have in your life. How do they differ? How are they the same? Who fits into which category?

The more you can focus on love, the more you can categorize love and name it and realize that it exists in your life, the more love you will have. And when you can differentiate between the flavors of love, you can hone in on the Divine love to which we all have access. In other words, the more love you allow yourself to experience in your life, the closer you bring yourself to the Divine.

In the meantime, bless yourself and those in your life through your conscious acknowledgement of your love for them (and theirs for you).

This post is part of a new series called Monday Message, based on that day’s reflection from 365 Days to Enlightenment (authorized versions are currently out of print, working on a new edition). Check back next Monday for another one! You can also sign up for the Daily Message on my mailing list if you’d like to receive a new reflection every day. I also often post them to Instagram, if that’s a medium you enjoy.