June 15, 2016
Love, Hate & Fear
There has been a lot of dialog over these three subjects during the past few decades. From the thinking presented much inspiration has surfaced as well as quite a bit of obscure thinking which has led to some illusion.
Let us take a fresh look at these three words and their relationship to each other.
Some have said that love is the opposite of hate, others that it is the opposite of fear. Then A Course in Miracles says it has no opposite. What is the truth here?
The truth depends on how we define our words. Now some say that love cannot be defined but only experienced, but consider this. All things were created by the Word of God and are extensions of the originating Word. Because all things are related to that Word then all things that are true can be encapsulated in a word, or words. Love can indeed be defined, or reduced to words. If one cannot do this then he doesn’t understand it fully.
Part of the problem of defining love with words is that there are numerous levels of understanding of what it is and each level of understanding would define it a little differently. Therefore, instead of micro analyzing it let us look at the general principle.
In the beginning was the One that multiplied Itself and became the many. In the end, the many unite and merge and again become the One. Love is that force which draws the many back to their source so they eventually become the one and enter into the great rest of God — pralaya.
Love can only exist when there is more than one life. It is the attraction of one life towards another life with the immediate goal of union and the ultimate goal of going back to the One Source. It only manifests in the many. When the many return to the One then Love enters a state of rest for there is no longer the many to be pulled into the One.
We could say that life is the point of love at the center that draws all life to each other and to itself.
So what would be the opposite then?
The opposite would be a force that pushes life away from each other as well as their source.
Hate and fear can cause people to be repelled from each other, but it can also cause them to make alliances and get closer to others of like minds. Therefore, hate and fear are not exact opposites of love.
Since love is a power of attraction then a closer opposite would be repulsion. You can be repelled from something without hating or fearing it. In this reality you may realize that it is just not in your best interests to be in close proximity to a certain life and it is best to keep your distance. You may not hate a lion, but you do not desire to get in a cage with one. In this world there are many separations caused by common sense rather than hate or fear.
So, is there any truth to the idea love has no opposite because it is eternal? In the worlds of form this does not make sense, but when viewed from the highest aspect of ourselves in the formless worlds it does. The highest part of ourselves is linked to all other lives and does not suffer separation and dwells in consummated love in the Eternal Now. It has no opposite. But on this physical plane there is indeed perceived separation. There is attraction and repulsion so opposition does indeed exist here and does wherever there is form.
Now let us look at hate. Hate may sometimes cause repulsion, the opposite of love, but it can sometimes lead to seeking out the cause of the hate and staying in close association with him or her. Instead of moving away from the source of hate the hater may follow the person around and cause as many problems as possible. In extreme cases the hater will seek to utterly destroy the thing or person hated.
In some cases a person may experience love and hate toward the same person. You may have an argument with your spouse and insult each other and feel hate for a time, but during this feeling you realize that you love the person more than you hate them.
The love referred to here is indeed a lower reflection of pure love, but it is an aspect nevertheless.
Now let us look at fear. This is far from being the opposite of love for sometimes it may surface because of love. Let us say that Jim has great love for his wife and kids and is the only source of income for them but has a temperamental boss. He may have a strong fear that he may be fired and not be able to support his family. If he were single he would not care or fear as much.
Other times fear can cause repulsion. If you disturb a hive of bees you would want to follow your fear and move in the opposite direction as quickly as possible.
Some talk of fear as if it is just a temporary thing that the enlightened can easily overcome, but there are many fears on many levels with which even great lives must contend. Would you be surprised to learn that even the Christ had to deal with a fear that he may not complete his mission as hoped, or that he feels a great tension (related to fear) about coming again and walking among us?
DK wrote that “Fear has its roots in the warp and woof of matter itself.” Since the matter of the universe is the physical body of God this means that God Itself has fear woven in the fabric of his body.
Joseph Smith made this interesting statement; “What did Jesus do? Why I do the things I saw my Father do when worlds came rolling into existence. My Father worked out his kingdom with fear and trembling, and I must do the same; and when I get my kingdom, I shall present it to my Father, so that he may obtain kingdom upon kingdom, and it will exalt him in glory. he will then take a higher exaltation, and I will take his place, and thereby become exalted myself.” Teachings Of The Prophet Joseph Smith; pages 347-8
The apostle Paul said: “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Phil 2:12
The main thing that causes fear is an approach to the unknown with the possibility of loss. If you are in a battle for your life there is a possibility of loss and if the outcome is unknown there will be fear. He who thinks otherwise is fooling himself.
When God created the universe he did not know of all the problems he would encounter and this fear became embedded in the fabric of the worlds of form.
The key to dealing with fear is not to deny its existence, or pretend one is above it, but to face it and deal with it. There is no courage without fear. The courageous soul will move forward toward a good end despite fears and in the end discover the peace of God and obtain a rest from all the fears and cares of the lower worlds.
LUKE
I won’t fail you – I’m not afraid.
YODA
(turns slowly toward him)
Oh, you will be. You will be.
From The Empire Strikes Back
Copyright 2016 by J J Dewey
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