The First Rule of Love

What is the First Rule of Love? It is to listen, to be fully present and to intently listen. Listening is a skill that very few of us have taken the time to fully practice.

Listening is the First Rule of Love

by Lois Cheney

What makes the act of listening a rule of love or perhaps an example of love in action? It is simply this: when we take the time to thoughtfully listen to others, being completely aware of, and in the “now” moment, we are truly accessing our own ability to offer unconditional love and acceptance.

As most of us are aware, the unconditional kind of love that Spirit asks of us comes only when we allow and accept others to be just as they are without judging. When we take the time to thoughtfully listen to the ideas, thoughts, desires, and fears of others (without formulating our own response before they are finished) we are acknowledging that “you” are as important and valuable as “me”!

Being willing to give attention to others requires effort and more than a little discipline. No matter how spiritual we feel we are, there is that little voice, mostly ego, which says we and our ideas are somehow “right”. However, there are rewards in making that extra effort to give an opportunity to others to be heard.

If you have ever worked in a business situation you are aware of the value of knowing the feelings of employees as well as employers. Information and new ideas allow improvement in the workplace. Certainly, in everyday life, gathering fresh ideas can lead to broader understanding and the possibility of real wisdom.

But there is one aspect of listening that is perhaps the most important of all. That listening can only happen in the depths of the silence of meditation where Spirit, your High Self, and Soul dwell.

If you want to truly know and experience the expansion of your personal life path, enter into that sacred silence and listen with your mind and your heart. All the direction and help you will ever need are waiting for you there. Now is the time. It is never too late. YOU CAN LIVE YOUR PURPOSE!

When we are willing to become still and earnestly desire guidance there is yet one more tool that will help. That tool is gratitude. Express your gratitude for all that is in your life whether it is health or sickness, friends or enemies, every experience in the past or present because all of that has made you who you are today. Through it all, you have been taught and you have learned!

I firmly believe that gratitude and love are inseparable. In the most deeply felt thankfulness, we cannot help but love all of life. Gratitude brings us to the awareness of how holy and magnificent a gift this life is.