Loving Yourself: December 2006 Archives

Through the years, working as a director of domestic violence shelters for women and children, and serving as a keynote speaker for policy and change, I have wittnessed the varying degrees of how, as humans, we inflict pain onto one another.
On a personal level, someone very close to me,who shares my blood, committed the unthinkable, he murdered his wife. Something like this, when you read about it in the newspaper, you shake your head in disbelief, and turn to the next page. But when something like this strikes at home, it locates a permenant place in your memory, bookmarked through the years, velcro for extra measures.

"With whom should the prime relationship be?"

The different beliefs regarding the “Prime Relationship” as discussed at various Forums range from being with God to being one with oneself. We’ve also discussed the theory that in order for us to effectively love someone and try to have a satisfying/fulfilling relationship we must have the same with ourselves.

In reading The Zahir, a novel of obsession by Paulo Coelho whose previous book was The Alchemist Mr. Coelho states:

“If someone is capable of loving their partner without restrictions, unconditionally, then they are manifesting the love of God. If the love of God becomes manifest, you will love your neighbor. If you love your neighbor, you will love yourself. If you love yourself, then everything returns to its proper place.”

What are your thoughts?
Do we need to reveal our love of God before we can truly love ourselves??