In a post a while back I wrote that “love is the ultimate agent of social change”, and more recently, while preparing a program for our weekly devotional on the topic of love, I reflected on this quote from the Universal House of Justice: 

“Ultimately, the power to transform the world is effected by love, love originating from the relationship with the divine, love ablaze among members of a community, love extended without restriction to every human being… You are channels for this divine love; let it flow through you to all who cross your path (from a letter dated 22 July 2020).”

One of the quotes from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that I used in the devotional program says, “Hast thou love? Then thy power is irresistible.” Irresistible. 

This led me to really consider how we become irresistible channels of love in a way that will lead to social change and healing. How do we see each other through eyes of love? How do we bring out love in each other, in order to increase love in the world? What are the tangible, practical ways we can foster these qualities in ourselves and others, in such a way that they have that irresistible, magnetic power?

Here are some thoughts:

1. Prayer and meditation: to become channels of divine love, we have to first tap into love from it’s ultimate source: God. Through our communion with God we can nurture and develop those qualities already latent within us that hold the key to becoming these channels: “My love has made in thee its home, it cannot be concealed” (Bahá’u’lláh). This connection through prayer should take place not only on a personal level, but also together, in community. Shared community prayer has a powerful transformative effect on hearts.

2. We have to look at each other with eyes of love, and to do that we have to look beyond differing opinions and ideals, imperfections and personality traits, and rather see the divine in others. We have to recognize other’s inherent nobility, and in so doing, bring that love and nobility out of them. After all, if someone truly sees you, and recognizes your value, does that not bring out love and joy in your heart? Imagine if we all developed the capacity to see each other that way!

“Love the creatures for the sake of God and not for themselves. You will never become angry or impatient if you love them for the sake of God. Humanity is not perfect. There are imperfections in every human being, and you will always become unhappy if you look toward the people themselves. But if you look toward God, you will love them and be kind to them, for the world of God is the world of perfection and complete mercy.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

3. Make the development of true bonds of friendship and a sense of community a priority in life. If the COVID pandemic has taught us one thing, it is how much we need each other, how much we thrive on companionship and a sense of community. We need to get to know each other, not just on superficial level, but to become true friends, to pray with each other, support each other, have deep and meaningful conversations with each other, and study and grow together. In doing so, we will be fueled by and nurture each other’s increase in love—both the capacity to give and receive it.

“Where there is love, nothing is too much trouble, and there is always time.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

4. We have to learn to receive and accept love from others with grace and gratitude when they offer it sincerely. And if they cannot do this yet, then assume the best in them until they can (and likewise, if we are not capable of feeling love for someone yet, at least try to assume the best in that person). 

5. We already know, from projects like “random acts of kindness”, that kindness is contagious, if we are kind to someone, they are more likely to be kind to others, they will experience a surge of happiness both in receiving kindness from us and in passing it on to someone else. I believe the contagious, magnetic element to these acts of kindness is love.

“What a power is love! It is the most wonderful, the greatest of all living powers. Love gives life to the lifeless. Love lights a flame in the heart that is cold. Love brings hope to the hopeless and gladdens the hearts of the sorrowful. In the world of existence there is indeed no greater power than the power of love.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

6. We have to have faith in the power of love. We have to call on and rely on love’s divine source—God—in moments when it is the hardest to express it and show it, and have faith that if we show others sincere love, they will eventually respond to it.

I leave you to reflect with me on the description of the power and magnitude of love in this incredible quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

“Know thou of a certainty that Love is the secret of God’s holy Dispensation, the manifestation of the All-Merciful, the fountain of spiritual outpourings. Love is heaven’s kindly light, the Holy Spirit’s eternal breath that vivifieth the human soul. Love is the cause of God’s revelation unto man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance with the divine creation, in the realities of things. Love is the one means that ensureth true felicity both in this world and the next. Love is the light that guideth in darkness, the living link that uniteth God with man, that assureth the progress of every illumined soul. Love is the most great law that ruleth this mighty and heavenly cycle, the unique power that bindeth together the divers elements of this material world, the supreme magnetic force that directeth the movements of the spheres in the celestial realms. Love revealeth with unfailing and limitless power the mysteries latent in the universe. Love is the spirit of life unto the adorned body of mankind, the establisher of true civilization in this mortal world, and the shedder of imperishable glory upon every high-aiming race and nation.”

Please share more ideas in the comments section on how we can show each other love, see each other through eyes of love, build love in the world and use the power of love as a form of social action in working towards justice and unity.