how to love unconditionally

The Quality of Loving Understanding

The Quality of Loving Understanding

Read "The Quality of Loving Understanding" article by Genevieve Gerard

This is another article in my on-going series on love.

The other day when I was meditating upon what is known as “The Festival of Humanity,” (a time in the spiritual calendar where Christ gathers his disciples to disperse and dispense to the world the energies most needed at this time, for the purpose of helping and healing humanity), the concept of loving understanding was impressed upon my Soul.

I will strive to share with you this concept of Loving Understanding. It contains within it some nuances of love that have a profound impact on the art of loving. I will do my very best to share with you how it affects loving and influences your understanding of improving right relationships.

More important than my explanation and understanding of this concept of Loving Understanding, I invite you to ponder upon the concept. Be receptive to the angels and the work of the Holy Spirit to bring to the world these energies of love.

What message and insight you receive as you open your heart, your mind and your Soul to the work and service of the Christ, will have a more powerful impact than my words can ever hope to have.

As I issue this invitation as a call to action, I would like to clarify something that I hope will communicate an underlying message in all of my writings and teachings. My role and my hope are to help you get more consciously aware of the wisdom and guidance of your Soul. There are no concepts that I can ever share with you that will have more power or impact in your life than opening to the power and the insight of your Soul.

My human imperfection limits my work and my teachings. Still I strive to serve as a conduit and bridge to help you find the deep inner truth that is within you.

Once you connect with your Soul and experience these deep inner truths, your prayers, and your meditations will be open to the promptings of your Soul. I believe that this should be true of every spiritual teacher. I believe your Soul will guide you to the solutions to your challenges and lessons that are unique to your purpose and your life journey.

Each life has its sacred journey and within it the opportunity to learn and to grow into right-relationship with God and those we encounter along the way. Our adventure of life can be amazing and wonderful. Entering into right-relationship with others brings with it the gifts of love and unlimited opportunities for joy.

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.
Without them, humanity cannot survive.
      – Dalai Lama

As I was pondering about the guidance of this recent meditation and its perspective of which we approach our relationship with one another in the context of loving understanding, I realized that there are subtle, yet important, ways this concept is significant.

Spiritual teachings have long advised us to love one another. The standard of love has been to love unconditionally. The way it is described is, “love one another as God has loved you.” This is a standard against which we measure our love, that most people can only seldom achieve.

I know in my life when I have been able to love everyone unconditionally, it is glorious and wonderful. I also know that many times in my life and my loving, I have failed to reach that standard.

 Love is not only something you feel; it is something you do.
      – David Wilkerson

This example of loving understanding seems to offer a step toward loving more unconditionally. It encompasses activating compassion without any demands or expectations.

Loving understanding starts from the awareness and acknowledgment that each of us in our humanity and our life experiences are imperfect, and that is perfectly alright.

From a trip to the Middle East, I am reminded of a story that I heard while visiting a rug making facility that created exquisite handmade silk rugs.

The proprietor told me that every rug had a flaw, often woven in on purpose because “only God is perfect.” In my many years of coaching, I have seen people suffer from judging themselves against an impossible standard of expectations. I often say, “Only God is perfect. You don’t have to be perfect since you are not God.”

This compassion of release from unrealistic expectations, which is inherent in the concept of treating one another from the perspective of loving understanding can influence relationships in very important ways. It implies respect that each of us is on our own life’s journey and our own path.

No mistake along the way ever destroys the truth. Every failure, every foible is an opportunity for greater growth and understanding of what it means to live and how to love. No life lesson is ever wasted if you look at it from a higher perspective.

When you release your demands upon either yourself or others, there is an ability to relax and enjoy without judgment or criticism. You can be who you are, accept how you are, and more importantly understand that those around you are on their own path and have their own life lessons to learn.

This freedom of expectations also loosens the negative aspects of attachment. It enables you to appreciate the unique differences that exist between individuals while enhancing and supporting one another with loving understanding.

With this understanding, you honor that you are you, and I am I, in a way that celebrates the miracle of relationship and sharing our life journey.

There is a mantra that was adapted from the Ageless Wisdom by my spiritual mentor, Dr. Robert Gerard Ph.D. © 1980. It can be freely used and shared as long as the copyright and attribution are used.

A mantra is a way of focusing your meditation. I have always liked this one and feel that it will help empower and enhance your meditations on loving understanding.

 

I Stand A Point Of Peace

I stand a point of peace,

and through that point

true power, love and light can flow.

 

I stand in restful poise,

and through that poise

I can attract the gifts

that I can share.

 

A dedicated will:

         The gift of purpose.

An understanding heart:

         The gift of compassion.

A quiet mind:

         The gift of illumination.

 

I never stand alone,

for around me gather those

I seek to serve:

 

My companions on the path,

my colleagues in the work,

Souls that require my help,

even though I see them not,

and those in near and distant places

who seek the Master of my life,

the universal Presence

that sustains all lives.

 

     – Adapted by Robert Gerard, Ph.D. © 1980

 

I would love for you to post any of your thoughts and impressions (as comments) as you meditate and pray about loving understanding. You can do this below or in the section on my website called transitional stories.

We are all fellow disciples on the path to the Light and more enlightened awareness. I honor your loving understanding today!

Namaste,

 Genevieve

The Blessing of Love on All That You Do!

P.S. As a way to be more empathetically aware of other people’s feelings; tolerant and forgiving, try pondering on the words: compassionate, empathetic, sensitive, considerate, tender, kindness, thoughtful and supportive.

 

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Last updated 6-9-2019

 


Genevieve - Soulful

 

About the author:
Genevieve Gerard teaches Transformational Consciousness – from first awakening to enlightened Soul awareness. She helps you experience the joy that results from the spontaneous “touch of the soul.”

 

Genevieve has a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Theology and a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling and for over thirty years has worked one-on-one with people who were recovering from devastating disabilities and chronic pain. Teaching the mastery of the mind-body relationship she was one of the early professionals trained in biofeedback, visualization, imagery, and meditation as essential techniques to help people heal their bodies, heal their emotions, heal their minds, and heal their lives.

Genevieve’s work demonstrates what she knows so well, “It is spiritual connectedness that triggers physical healing and emotional and mental well-being.”  Helping people, like you, tap into your higher-self is the power she wields to guide you to heal and transform your life.

Now, with this understanding, she combines the effective techniques she developed over decades teaching mind-body mastery along with her extensive experience in meditation and spiritual development to create a synthesis of mind-body-spirit that delivers complete healing and opens the door to unlimited personal growth and an encounter with your Soul.

In addition to her current life guidance coaching sessions, and workshops performed around the world, Genevieve has produced more than 20+ guided meditations in the last eight years that are available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, and her website.

It is her vision that through your experience with the techniques of awareness, visualization, and meditation, the love of your Soul will touch and transform your life through her writings and products. It is her sincere desire that the potential of a life of joy and celebration that seems to elude so many people can become a reality for you, now and forever.

Browse her life story and read the Touch of the Soul that changed her world. To contact Genevieve, visit her keep in touch page.


 

Copyright © 2019 by Genevieve Gerard & Touch of the Soul LLC. All rights reserved.

 

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You Need Not Earn A Mothers Love

You Need Not Earn A Mothers Love

– Thoughts on Love for Mother’s Day

Read "You Need Not Earn A Mothers Love" article by Genevieve Gerard

From the first breath of life, a baby begins to learn about love.

Throughout life, until that baby takes its last breath, love will amazingly be the most natural, joyful and wonderful experience in life and simultaneously the most challenging.

Learning to love and letting love evolve and grow is part of the miracle of life. Some might say that it is the purpose of life, the reason for living.

On Mother’s Day, here in the United States, it seems natural to consider the birth of my son, as I consider writing about love and the amazing lessons and changes that becoming a Mother gave me.

Motherhood is a life-changing event. Once you are a Mother, you are always a Mother. Being a Mother is perhaps nature’s best opportunity to learn about love.

I remember, as I am sure most Mother’s do, that powerful moment when after all of the discomfort of pregnancy and pain of delivery, my child was placed in my arms. In that moment there was such a welling up of joy and love in my heart that it could not be contained. Love, in that moment, became the most important thing I would ever do or could ever do with my life.

As I held my child in my arms and looked deeply into his eyes, he smiled. That moment, that first connection, opened a place in my heart and touched my Soul and spontaneously filled me with unconditional love that was so powerful and so profound that I knew I was in some way miraculously changed.

In that moment, by that connection of our Souls, I learned something about love that was beyond any lesson that life had ever offered me before. I was transformed, and I felt deep in my heart what I would learn, experience and grow with, by having this child, loving this child and protecting this child.

It was not simply the miracle of being a co-creator of life that overwhelmed me; it was how my awareness of what it means to love was transformed. To love unconditionally is, we are told, how God loves us. I knew at that moment that my son would never need to earn my love.

Yet, to really understand that is not easy. Unconditional love is selfless, and most of us, as human beings know ourselves to be selfish. To learn to love unconditionally is to learn to express that spark of the Divine that makes a human being unique and wonderful out of all of creation.

When you let love be your guide, you will never get lost.
        – Genevieve Gerard

Perhaps it is through the miracle of becoming a Mother that this great life lesson is empowered. The miraculous event of motherhood will transform you and will provide the lesson of unconditional love.

It will teach you that it is not dependent upon the act of giving birth, but is related to becoming a Mother. This I learned when my nephew joined our family as a very welcomed adoptive addition. Being a mother is much more than just giving birth. It is a way of expressing love that is unique to that experience.

If your life was blessed with the experience of being a Mother, take a moment to pause and consider all that you have learned from that life’s adventure. Make sure that your loved ones know that they need not earn your love, but rather you give it unconditionally.

On May 10th and throughout the year, we should celebrate Mothers everywhere. Take the time to consider and be grateful for the love that has transformed and touched your life. It could be from your biological mother or from a grandmother, an aunt, a teacher or even a supportive neighbor.

Mother’s Day provides an excellent opportunity to remind us to express our gratitude for those who have loved us, guided us and supported us throughout our journey and who have provided us with the unconditional love that is called a Mother’s love.

Also, remember that the bonds of love and the lessons that love can teach in life most often reach their culmination in family life. And although families are imperfect, there is no other human structure that gives you more opportunities to learn about love, and to demonstrate what it means to love, than family.

Ironically, family not only teaches you to love, but also teaches you about the need to forgive, and hopefully also how to forgive.


No one anywhere can trigger our emotional response more powerfully than our families.
Check out my Heart of the Family Meditation CD-MP3 for a transforming awareness meditation
that will unite your family.


Erik Fromm, humanistic psychologist and philosopher discusses in his book, “The Art of Loving” the importance developmentally of the unconditional love of a Mother’s love. He is quoted as saying,

“Mother’s love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved.”
        – Erich Fromm

It is through your relationship with your Mother that you first begin to learn life’s lessons about love, so it is wonderful that by becoming a Mother you can learn how to love unconditionally.

In my deepest moments of meditation and reflection upon the meaning of life, I have found that learning to love is the most important of the lessons we are given throughout life. It seems that most of life’s challenges and the very best of life’s blessings and joy are interwoven with love.

I believe in your life, it is what you have done for love, that gives you the greatest sense of accomplishment and the deepest sense of satisfaction and success. If you take this celebration of Mother’s Day, and consider the Mother’s love in your own life, I feel you will also find that to be true. Ponder on this.

Take this moment to consider and meditate on all that you have learned about love in your life.

You may wish to record these thoughts and impressions in your journal. If you don’t have a journal, you may wish to take this day to begin one.

You might wish to add to your consideration of what love is, the words of St. Paul in his famous epistle to the Corinthians.

The Way of Love

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never ends… so now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
        – 1 Corinthians, English Standard Version (ESV)

From the moment of your birth to the moment of your death, giving and receiving has more impact on your life than anything else you do. Throughout your life, the lessons you learn about loving are the most profound.

This is true of learning to love within your family relationships. It is true when you strive to love one another as you have been loved by God. It is true of learning to love yourself. One might say that life is a classroom where the primary lesson is love.

Love has the power to redeem and the power to heal. It is a bridge across the divide between life and death because when you love another, the bond is forged from Soul to Soul.

The spark of your Self that is both Divine and eternal is what gives love its greatest power and provides the greatest joy.

This day is the perfect time to celebrate love and to consider the many ways that love manifests in your life. This day is a perfect time to consider the ways that love influences your life. Throughout your life is the perfect opportunity to express your gratitude for the love you have received.

We love life, not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving.
        – Fredrick Nietzsche

Mother’s Day can also be a powerful time to forgive and let the hurt of your past heal. It is time to accept the grace and healing love of the Divine Mother. It is a time to invoke the work and wisdom of the Divine Mother in your life.

This Mother’s Day, celebrate love, celebrate life and demonstrate love in your life!

Namaste,

Genevieve

The Blessing of Love on All That You Do!

 

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Copyright © 2015 Genevieve Gerard and Touch of the Soul. All rights reserved.

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10 Things I Have Learned About Consciousness From My Dog

10 Things I Have Learned About
Consciousness From My Dog Silky

Genevieve Gerard Dog Silky

 

Life offers us many lessons, sometimes from unlikely teachers.

Although I originally published this post in December of 2013, I am republishing it because the lessons I learned from my dog Silky are different from the lessons I learn from my current dog Bentley, just as our human teachers have different personalities and characteristics that teach us different life lessons.

As I was considering what to post for this week’s Wisdom Wednesday Blog I chose to update and repost this article.

Update:

Silky passed on to doggy heaven in July of 2014. In 2014, a new fur baby came to me as a rescue, my dog Bentley. He has a very different nature and teaches different life lessons.

In October of 2014 I wrote a post about what Bentley was teaching me.

The thing that I think was most wonderful is that each of these souls had mastered giving unconditional love.

The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.
      — M. K. Clinton

I am very grateful for the blessing of unconditional love that each of these dogs have brought into my life.

My life has been richer and blessed by the animals that have accompanied me on my adventure. I encourage you to take some time to consider what you can learn from the animal consciousness that has come into your life. Each Presence is unique in what they teach you and offer to you.

I hope you enjoy this somewhat lighter perspective on life lessons. Life lessons are available to us from everywhere if we keep our hearts and minds open.

 

10 Things I Learned

    1. How to relax – when my dog relaxes he does it completely without a worry or concern.
    2. How to forgive immediately – my dog forgives any error on my part and then forgets it.
    3. How to express love with spontaneous joy – my dog gets completely into expressing his love and doesn’t stop until I say enough.
    4. How to be grateful for what I receive – my dog approaches every treat or blessing that life offers with gratitude and appreciation.
    5. How to be in the moment (in the Now) – my dog does not let anything that has happened in the past have any impact on the present and he never worries about the future.
    6. How to Love unconditionally – my dog always loves me and it has nothing to do with what I do. It is always there for me.

If You Would Like To Open Yourself To The Energy Of Divine Love & The Love That Your Soul Brings To You,
check out my Gift of Love CD Meditation (MP3 Download.)


    7. How to forgive yourself – as quickly as he forgives me he also forgives himself, even if he has done something wrong; as quickly as any of my transgressions are forgiven and forgotten so are his.
    8. How to honestly express his feelings – if he doesn’t like or trust someone, no amount of comforting or commanding will stop the expression of his feelings, he trusts his intuition completely.
    9. How to delight in the simple joys of life – playing – running- sniffing a new smell – whatever the experience, it is approached with a joyful abandon
    10. How to just be – My dog never makes demands of himself or his time, is never self-critical, he enjoys and appreciates just being.

 

Namaste,

Genevieve

The Blessing of Love on All That You Do!

 

P.S. Silky is a Havanese (his breed is from Havana Cuba and is sometimes referred to as a “Havana Silk Dog” and they are hypoallergenic because they have hair like a human.)

P.P.S. Please comment below and let me know what you have learned from your dog.

 

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Copyright © 2013-2016 Genevieve Gerard and Touch of the Soul

 

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