Friends, what happens when the flow of love stops?
This question is fundamentally flawed because if love is truly love, its flow can never cease. Even if the lover wishes to stop it, or if the Divine itself wills it, love’s flow cannot be restrained. You might wonder, then, why this question is raised at all. Friends, though the question may seem incorrect, it is not entirely so. It arises from the love we think we know.
The truth is, we do not truly understand love. What we know is attachment—the kind that demands something in return. This is the “love” where the lover expects the same measure of love that they give. Here, love becomes a transaction, a barter, like a merchant exchanging goods or money. Today’s lover behaves similarly; if they don’t receive the expected measure of love in return, they may resort to anything—even actions too shameful to describe.
Friends, we have dragged divine love into a realm of transactions. Reflecting on this is distressing. Those who engage in such transactional “love” may frequent places of worship, practice meditation, or delve into yoga, but these efforts will yield nothing. True peace and union with the Divine can only be achieved by walking the path of love. And yet, despite abundant devotion everywhere—temples, mosques, and altars on every street corner—the presence of divine virtues is scarce, while the vices of Ravana dominate every alleyway. Worship has itself become a trade; we reprimand a beggar outside the temple but then go inside to beg from God. When we deny alms to another, how can we expect blessings from the Divine? And when our prayers go unanswered, we strike a bargain with God: “If my wish is granted, I will offer a month of service or donate a sum.” Have we ever considered whom we are bargaining with—the very Creator of the universe?
When such a love’s flow appears to stop, it takes a path from which return is difficult. For when flow halts, consequences inevitably follow. Stress hormones begin to overflow in our bodies, far exceeding healthy limits, giving rise to numerous troubles. Over time, these manifest as various physical and mental illnesses. While other factors may contribute, the root cause often lies here. Depression, anxiety, stress, autoimmune disorders, inferiority complexes—these conditions stem from a blocked flow of love, leading to a cascade of ailments.
Friends, consulting a doctor, taking prescribed medications, engaging in worship, meditation, and altering daily habits can mitigate these issues to a large extent. But to eradicate them completely, we must also transform our mindset. Love is not something external to be sought; it resides eternally within everyone. You need only to reach its source. Begin with self-love. Everyone and everything may leave you, but this body will remain with you until your last breath. You may gain or lose many things, but what this body loses cannot be regained in this lifetime. Wealth, pride, family, and society exist only as long as you and your body endure. If you are healthy, everything aligns with you. Therefore, learn to love your body. Dedicate time to yourself. Only a healthy body can foster a positive mindset, and only a positive mindset can cultivate the love within you, leading you to your innermost being. When this love transforms into a state of devotion, it changes everything.
Friends, when you start loving your body, you will naturally begin to love others as well. As you become mindful of your body, you will understand the struggles and rhythms of others. Just as your body takes time to adapt to new habits or thoughts, so does everyone else’s. This shift in perspective will transform you. Love is already within you; you simply need to awaken it. Happiness, too, resides within; it awaits the same awakening. When love awakens, happiness follows effortlessly. Then you will realize that everything you sought externally was already within you. The time spent searching outside was in vain. Whenever you awaken, it is morning. Just as a seed contains the potential of a tree, you too carry the seed of love within. It only needs to be nurtured. Like a tree that bears countless fruits and seeds, your awakened love can inspire thousands, spreading its message and kindling love in others.
