What is Love?

"There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life." - John Lennon

My dears, this morning, I must admit I woke to a bit of a funk. You see, the holidays here, though such a blessing – bring to mind a memory from so very long ago.

It was December 8, 1980 – the night John Lennon was gunned down in front of his home—standing next to him, was his loving wife and soul mate.

I was laying in bed in my room, all of just 12 years old, when I heard the breaking news over the television set,

“An unspeakable tragedy. Confirmed to us by ABC News in New York City. John Lennon, outside of his apartment building on the West side of New York City, the most famous, perhaps, of all of the Beatles. Shot twice in the back. Rushed to Roosevelt’s Hospital.”

And then, the announcer paused just a moment to say, these three words that I shall never forget,

“Dead…on…arrival.”

It was the first time I remember feeling such an overwhelming sense of helplessness—at the loss of a most beautiful human life, and one that was barely half-lived.

It was also the very first time I questioned my very own faith—not in God, but rather, humanity. I found myself questioning the very depth of humanity’s moral sense.

It was the first time, I felt such a profound sense of ‘brokeness.’

You see, when I look into another person’s face, I see their humanity; I feel the energy of their spirit. I see the shimmer of their past in those creases and lines and I can see their heart’s fullest potential.

And, beyond any question or lingering shadows of doubt – my dears, I can see their love.

You know, for so many years I held firm to the belief that ‘enlightenment’ was reserved only for the mystics and yogis of t could be attained only by the mystics and yogis of this world.

You know, I used to believe that enlightenment was reserved only for the mystics of this world – but, perhaps not…

My dears, perhaps love is our one true awakening?

oh my love – john lennon

Oh my love, for the first time in my life
My eyes are wide open
Oh my lover, for the first time in my life
My eyes can see

I see the wind, oh, I see the trees
Every thing is clear in my heart
I see the clouds, oh, I see the sky
Everything is clear in our world

Oh my lover, for the first time in my life
My mind is wide open
Oh my love, for the first time in my life
My mind can feel

I feel the sorrow, oh, I feel dreams
Everything is clear in my heart
I feel life, oh, I feel love
Everything is clear in our world