
The core of Radiate Perpetual Love book is a collection of 108 “Radiances”
Each one of these radiances features “Revelations” which are quotes – inspiration about love from across the known universe and “Reflections” -in personal reflections from the author. Here is the first Radiance in the book:
Radiance #1 – To be Present with Love
Revelations
“In an ideal world, we would all learn in childhood to love ourselves. We would grow, being secure in our worth and value, spreading love wherever we went, letting our light shine. If we did not learn self-love in our youth, there is still hope. The light of love is always in us, no matter how cold the flame. It is always present, waiting for the spark to ignite, waiting for the heart to awaken and call us back to the first memory of being the life force inside a dark place waiting to be born–waiting to see the light.”
-bell hooks, All About Love – New Visions
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
– Jelaluddin Rumi
“The greatest influence you can have in any situation is to be the presence of love.”
– Robert Holden
“Know that you are a miracle and that you have a unique place in the cosmic plan. You are here to be the presence of love. You are here to be the presence of joy. You are here to be the presence of peace.”
– Deepak Chopra
“Whether you love God or you love a human being, if you love enough, you will come into the presence of Love itself.”
– Jelaluddin Rumi
Reflection
As simple as it may seem on the surface, being present with love is not easy and even harder to sustain a state of “love.” There is a constant flood of mental noise (both internal and external) that often interferes with this task.
One way to shut out the noise is to turn off or silence your digital devices. Secondly, try to schedule some “love” time every day – consider putting it on your calendar. Then consider creating a love altar or meditation space in your home. There is something powerful about literally (physically) creating space for love in your life. This can be accomplished with a simple shelf, a small table, or perhaps a mandala on the wall that carves out some physical space to focus on love.
Collect some “love accouterments,” including but not limited to bells, chimes, meditation bowls, candles, incense, or any object that touches your heart. You might also include photos or items that contain “love energy” or, for whatever reason, symbolize love for you. There is no right or wrong way to do this. The process of creating this sacred space, making a set of love beads, or whatever you may choose, is an act of self-love in itself. I have made some of these “love altars” and “love bead” sets for family and friends as gifts.
At the end of this book, some guidance is provided to help you assemble these tools for generating love.
Internally, the task of shutting out the noise may be more challenging. I have found “Insight Meditation” to be one of the best methods for training my mind to resist the stream of noise continually flowing through the “conscious” mind to be still and allow myself – my soul, my heart – to be present.
I have various meditations I rely on – I share one here that I have found very helpful. Of course, you may use prayers from any tradition or find a poem, or quote, or phrase, or chant you find helpful.
Metta Prayer
May I be safe, happy, and healthy
May I be filled with peace, calm, and loving-kindness
May my life unfold with ease
May love radiate all within me
May love radiate all around me
May love radiate across the known and unknown universe
Do you want more love in your life? You may need to give more of your present moment to love to receive it. This means giving it both time and space. You must literally be more present with love. This means putting it on your calendar. This means creating space in your home or heart for love. This means you are the home for love; you are at home with love.
Are you still wondering?
Where is the love?
No need to embrace it
Seek it, find it, or aspire to it
It is already in you
It already is you
You are love
It courses through you
You reflect it
It reflects you
You contain it
It contains you
No need to wait for it
It isn’t waiting for you
It is already here – now
Because it is you you you
You are love love love
You are here here here
You are now now now