The sentiment addressed in the opening quote is found in numerous places, and at numerous times throughout history. When something appears in so many places, and from so many different sources, it seems there is something in it we should be paying attention to.
"Hatred never ceases by hatred But by love alone is healed. This is an ancient and eternal law."
The Buddha
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Jesus of Nazareth
“What kind of love is this that to another can shift? Says Nanak, True lovers are those who are forever absorbed in the Beloved. Whoever discriminates between treatment held good or bad, is not a true lover - he rather is caught in calculations.”
The Adi Granth (= the sacred scriptures of Sikhism)
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow; this is the whole of the Law."
Hillel the Elder (Jewish Rabbi - born c.110 BCE, died 10 CE)
"Every enemy is your medicine ... your beneficial alchemy and heart healing."
Rumi (13th century Sufi mystic and poet)
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Mahatma Gandhi
What will it take, in the end, for us to open our hard, hard hearts? In a world where people are taught only to point their fingers and judge, what will it take for people to finally turn their backs on hate and turn into love? In a world where people seem deeply afraid to even approach the idea of looking for their own faults, how can we turn into love?
Truthfully, I can’t answer what it will take for others, I can only look inside myself to see where I am holding hardness. In my experience nothing works better to soften my own hard heart than to see my own brokenness. How, then, can I judge others when I see such deep failings in myself? How can I not love others when I see they suffer just like me?
One common need each one of us has is to be loved deeply and intimately, warts and all, is the common expression. However, in order to be loved like that we need to have the courage to see ourselves clearly. It’s really quite simple, if we do not have the courage to see ourselves honestly, we cannot allow anyone else to see us honestly either. It is impossible to be loved “warts and all” if we are not willing to openly reveal ourselves “warts and all.” It is only when we develop the willingness to see ourselves clearly, both good and bad, light and dark, positive and negative, that we can begin to learn to love ourselves. And it is only through learning to love ourselves, that we can learn to love others and allow them to love us. This is an unalterable fact, or as the Buddha said, “...an ancient and eternal law,” and sadly the only way to prove it is to learn it through one’s own personal experience.
May all beings have the courage to love and be loved.
May all beings be peaceful.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be safe.
May all beings awaken to the light of their true nature.
May all beings be free. - Metta Prayer