Dear Friends,

The most divine love……

February is the month we celebrate love on Valentine's Day. “Love” is a big word with multiple meanings.

In spiritual contexts “the most divine love” is usually defined as a selfless, unconditional love given freely without expectation of anything in return. This is often called “agape”, and it is considered the highest form of love. Many people may conceptualize the giving and receiving of selfless love as involving their belief of a god. Only a deity could have such a pure love, and the highest human aspiration is to give selfless love. Indeed the concept of a “loving god” or being “loved by god” could simply be a symbolic expression of agape.

Leigh Hunt wrote this beautiful verse about such love.

Abou Ben Adhem

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw, within the moonlight in his room,

Making it rich, and like a lilly in bloom,

An angel writing in a book of gold:—

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

And to the presence in the room he said,

“What writes thou?”—The vision raised its head,

and with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”

“And is mine one?” said Abou, “Nay, not so,”

Replied the angel.

Abou spoke more low,

But cheerly still; and said,”I pray thee, then,

Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”

The angel wrote, and vanished.

The next night

It came again with a great wakening light,

And showed the names whom love of God had blest,

And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.

Peggy Webbe, President

#FebruaryNewsletter