Prema – love

«Please understand the truth of My beloved, the supreme goddess Śrī Rādhā. I enjoy pastimes with Her eternally. She has conquered Me with Her love» (Sanatkumara-samhitā, 160). 

Prema is the supreme love according to bhakti-yoga, the path of devotion. It differs from the most ordinary human love (kāma), because the latter is selfish: kāma seeks pleasure and happiness through the other. Prema, on the other hand, is an unconditional love that looks only to the satisfaction of the beloved, without any attachment and in total self-forgetfulness. It is an affection full of kindness, care and respect for the beloved.

If you still cry what has been and you armor yourself against everything and everyone, you may miss some important glimpses that make you understand that new beginnings are always possible. Arrogance is not an ideal way to open up to people, much less to relationships. You don’t need to be strong to receive esteem, everyone has deep needs and everyone has weaknesses. Affection arises in recognizing and thinking of looking after the weak parts of the other. Let yourself be pampered.

IN PRACTICE  

Garbha pinda-āsana, womb pose

A position that recalls being cared for inside the womb.

Awareness exercise

How do you behave when you meet someone new? Are you shy, arrogant, bold or reserved? Have you ever thought of simply showing yourself open to knowledge?

Mantra of the month

«I have needs like everyone else».