Jiddu Krishnamurti: 'This is love: the flowering of love is meditation.'

This is love: the flowering of love is meditation.

In Jiddu Krishnamurti's profound quote, 'This is love: the flowering of love is meditation,' he encapsulates the true essence of love and its relationship to meditation. At first glance, this quote may seem simple, but upon closer examination, it reveals a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between love and meditative practices.The straightforward interpretation of the quote suggests that love and meditation are intertwined, with love acting as the ultimate outcome or result of meditation. When we engage in meditation, we create the fertile ground for love to flourish within us. Meditation serves as a nurturing process, in which we cultivate a sense of inner calmness, mindfulness, and self-awareness. As we develop these qualities through meditation, we become more open and receptive to love, allowing it to blossom within our hearts. Love, in Krishnamurti's perspective, is not merely an emotion or a state, but a transformative energy that arises from the practice of meditation.To introduce an unexpected philosophical concept, let us explore the notion of non-duality, often associated with Eastern philosophical traditions. Non-duality posits that everything in existence, including ourselves, is interconnected and indivisible. It suggests that the boundaries we perceive between ourselves and the external world are illusory, and that the separation of self and other is an illusion created by our limited perception.When we apply the concept of non-duality to Krishnamurti's quote, we can see a profound connection. Love, as described by Krishnamurti, is not confined to the realm of personal relationships or emotions. Instead, it expands to encompass a more expansive understanding of the self and its relationship to the world. Love, in this context, becomes a recognition of our interconnectedness with all beings and the entire universe. Through meditation, we can cultivate a state of awareness where this interconnectedness becomes apparent, leading to an experience of love that transcends personal attachments and preferences.Comparing the straightforward interpretation with the concept of non-duality allows us to recognize both the personal and universal aspects of love. The flowering of love through meditation not only enhances our ability to cultivate loving relationships with others but also allows us to recognize the inherent unity that underlies all aspects of existence.Moreover, this perspective challenges the conventional understanding of love as something that can be possessed or limited to specific individuals or objects. Rather, love becomes an expansive force that is neither created nor destroyed but discovered and experienced through the process of meditation and self-inquiry.In summary, Krishnamurti's quote beautifully captures the intimate relationship between love and meditation. By engaging in the practice of meditation, we create the ideal conditions for love to blossom within us. Love, as described by Krishnamurti, goes beyond personal attachments and expands to encompass a recognition of our interconnectedness with the entire universe. When we embrace the concept of non-duality, we deepen our understanding of love as a transformative force that arises from the dissolution of boundaries and the realization of our inherent unity with all that is. By incorporating meditation into our lives, we can cultivate love in its truest and most expansive form, allowing it to permeate every aspect of our being.