On the Experience of Being Unconditionally Loved

Abstract

Unconditional love. Rumi, the great Sufipoet-mystic, wrote of this love: “I’ve heard it said, there’s a window that opens from one mind to another, / but if there’s no wall, there’s no need for fitting the window, or the latch” (Barks & Bly, 1981). Such beautiful words. Much of Rumi’s work directly illustrates the loving relationship that he shared with his spiritual teacher, Shams of Tabriz. Indeed, spiritual traditions from all around the world proclaim unconditional love to be among the highest forms of human expression. These traditions have gone on to describe this expression in the form of the affection a spiritual teacher holds for students or disciples. Buddhist (Rinpoche, 1992; Wangyal, 1978) and Hindu (Muktananda, 1980; Venkatesananda, 1989) sources, the words of the Old and New Testament, tales from indigenous or shamanic cultures (Castaneda, 1968, 1972) all show us that the love given us by spiritual guides is of utmost importance. Experiencing a spiritual teacher’s unconditional love can teach us how to love and accept ourselves. This self-acceptance and self-love can then find expression in love for our families, friends, colleagues, and even our enemies. These expressions of love help us to live a rich and meaningful life.