Love Above all else:
In a world often fragmented by differences, polarized by ideologies, and shadowed by fear, the timeless message of "Love above all else" emerges not merely as an idealistic sentiment, but as a profound beacon of hope and an urgent call to personal and collective transformation. This universal principle, deeply embedded within the core tenets of numerous spiritual traditions, finds beautiful expression within A Course in Miracles (ACIM). Together, these insights illuminate a unified path, guiding us toward genuine peace, radical forgiveness, and an understanding that transcends the superficial divisions of the material world.
The Foundation of Love
What kind of love are we truly speaking of? It is not merely a fleeting emotion or a passive feeling; rather, it is an active, dynamic principle, a fundamental way of being that profoundly redefines our relationships—first with ourselves, then with every other living soul, and ultimately, with the Divine Source of all creation. A Course in Miracles places this love at the absolute pinnacle of spiritual practice and understanding, revealing it as the very essence from which true understanding springs. As St. Germain reminds us in the I AM Discourses, we have the power to "face about, using [our] thought constructively with the motive power of Divine Love, and build for [ourselves] a Perfect Paradise within." This divine love is the very energy of creation, waiting for our conscious alignment.
Love as the Only Reality
ACIM delves deeper, articulating a radical truth: love is not merely a commandment to be followed, but the only true reality. From this perspective, everything that appears to be antithetical to love—such as fear, pervasive guilt, aggressive attack, and the painful experience of separation—is fundamentally an illusion. These are but miscreations of the ego mind, lacking any genuine substance and permanence. Our true, immutable nature, the Course gently reminds us, is pure love, having been created in the perfect likeness of Love itself. St. Germain echoes this profound truth, asserting that "Nothing is truly real except the I AM." He further illuminates that our "imperfections are illusions of the personality, for our inner divine Self is flawless; each of us is 'a glittering, dazzling Jewel of Light'."
“Teach only love, for that is what you are.” This is the one lesson that is perfectly unified, because it is the only lesson that is one.” (ACIM, T-6.III.2:4-5)
Consider this: fear is not love's formidable opposite; it is, in truth, merely the absence of love, much like darkness is simply the absence of light. It possesses no independent reality or power of its own. When we consciously choose to embrace and extend love, fear, with all its accompanying anxieties and perceived threats, simply dissolves and vanishes. ACIM therefore encourages us to actively look past the myriad illusions of separation that seem to define our world and instead, to perceive the inherent loving Self that resides within every single individual, recognizing that this is our shared, eternal identity.
Forgiveness: The Pathway to Love
How then do we embody this profound love? Forgiveness stands as the most practical and transformative application. It is not about condoning or excusing harmful behavior; rather, it's about seeing past the illusion of wrongdoing itself. ACIM teaches a radical truth: what you thought your brother did to you has not occurred in the realm of true reality. It was a call for love, a moment of mistaken identity. St. Germain, in his wisdom, advises that "Always when one has been conscious of having made a mistake, his first act should be to call on the Law of Forgiveness, and demand wisdom and strength not to make the same mistake a second time."
ACIM, while aligning with the spirit of forgiveness, expands upon its definition in a unique and radical way:
"Forgiveness recognizes what you thought your brother did to you has not occurred. It does not pardon sins and make them real. It sees there was no sin. And in that view are all your sins forgiven." —ACIM W.ptII.1
When you truly forgive another, you are, in essence, dissolving the very idea of separation within yourself. You are remembering your inherent connection, your seamless oneness. In that profound recognition, your own burdens lift, too. Please read that sentence again.
The Qualities of Love
To truly understand and embody "Love above all else," it is essential to grasp its intrinsic qualities. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, provides one of the most eloquent and enduring descriptions of what love truly looks like in action. This passage serves as a powerful guide for how love manifests in our interactions and inner state:
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (ESV)
This profound description moves beyond mere sentimentality, presenting love as a set of active virtues. It is a love that endures, that seeks the good of others, that is humble and selfless. It is a love that transcends fleeting emotions, remaining steadfast even in the face of provocation or difficulty. These qualities are not passive traits but active choices, demanding a constant turning away from egoic impulses and a dedication to the higher self. It is how that "only reality" of love truly shines through.
As St. Germain proclaims, "I AM always the majestic power of pure love that transcends every human concept." This power manifests as "the Joy, the Courage, the Confidence pervading all the earth—filling the hearts of mankind—consuming all generated thought of depression or lack."
The Unity of All: Love's Ultimate Expression
The ultimate, most expansive expression of the principle "Love above all else" culminates in the profound recognition of our inherent interconnectedness. Imagine a vast, shimmering tapestry where every thread is a soul, and every movement on one thread gently vibrates through the entire fabric. There is no true isolation here; when one part of this grand whole thrives, we all feel the upliftment. When one part aches, we all feel the resonance. Our well-being is deeply, intricately woven with everyone else's.
ACIM echoes and amplifies this theme of unity, positing that separation is the fundamental error, the root cause of all suffering and conflict. True healing, therefore, comes not from attempting to fix individual problems in isolation, but from recognizing and accepting our seamless oneness with the Divine and with every other sentient being. St. Germain emphasizes this by stating, "To be in Their Blessed Presence fills any sincere, constructive individual with just one overwhelming impulse; and that is to be all They are, and help others." This speaks to the inherent interconnectedness and the natural desire to uplift all when truly aligned with the divine.
A Course in Miracles reinforces this unity:
"There is no order of difficulty in miracles. One is not 'harder' or 'bigger' than another. They are all the same. All expressions of love are maximal." — ACIM T.1.I.1
Every single act of love, regardless of how seemingly small or insignificant it may appear, is a perfect and complete reflection of the infinite, boundless love that is our ultimate Source. It serves as a poignant reminder that love, in its true essence, is indivisible, whole, and all-encompassing, incapable of being diminished or compartmentalized.
Living "Love Above All Else"
To truly live by the principle of "Love above all else" is to engage in a conscious, moment-by-moment choice: to consistently choose peace over conflict, understanding over hasty judgment, and profound connection over the illusion of separation. It is not a passive belief, but an active, daily practice of extending genuine forgiveness, of consciously looking past grievances to see the inherent loving essence in every brother and sister, and of steadfastly remembering that our deepest, most authentic nature is nothing but pure love. St. Germain advises us to "Turn your eyes away from fear. Discontinue the conversations of fear if you choose to embrace the fullness of your heart." Those beautiful qualities we have explored—patience, kindness, humility—become the very tools and expressions of this choice. They are the practical outworking of recognizing love as the only reality and practicing true forgiveness.
Whether you find your path through the profound insights of A Course in Miracles or the liberating wisdom of the I AM Discourses, or simply by listening to the quiet wisdom within, the message shines brilliantly clear: Love is far more than just a commendable virtue or a noble ideal. It is the very fabric of reality, the underlying truth of existence. It stands as the ultimate answer to every perceived problem, every conflict, and every form of suffering. It is, unequivocally, the only path to ultimate, lasting joy, profound inner peace, and a true return to our divine inheritance. Therefore, with every breath and every decision, let us wholeheartedly choose love, above all else.
