To evolve spiritually is to elevate ourselves, through the transformation of our consciousness, from limited, personal, and conditional love - to unconditional and universal love which includes all people and all things.

Humans can be well defined as universal beings and children of the world. Our journey is eternal. Our destiny is to stay open to the world and to embrace the world, mentally and spiritually. We should not live in self-imposed reclusion or fear. And even in the face of apparent divisions and conflicts we should build bridges, not walls of defence. Why? Because the underlying nature of the world is Oneness. When we are true to It, we are true to ourselves.

But if divine love is universal, does it mean that we should love all the people the same way and have no personal closeness? I don't think so.

In our life journey we were brought to a particular place. We are individualizations of the Universal God. Here and now, we are in close association with certain people. We have common work, common interests, common values, and purposes. Therefore, we need to be ready and willing to act in loving ways especially toward those who are our "neighbours". We should never use the concept of universal love to justify our unwillingness to manifest ourselves fully right where we are.

The best thing we need to know about relationships is that they are important, although not permanent. People will be coming to your life and will be leaving you. This is a natural process which should not be resisted or resented. Bless people as they come and bless them as they go away, affirming that both you and them are moving to the greater good in the universal flow of life.

The essence of love toward others is not attachment, but goodwill. We see their divine nature and long for its fuller expression, either with or without us. We say, "I behold God in you. I behold Goodness in you".

Here is the truth about each person:

- behind negative appearances, there is great potential of perfection;
- behind appearances of infirmity and weakness, there is great potential of strength and wholeness;
- behind appearances of poverty, there is a great potential of all-providing substance;
- behind appearances of confusion, there is a great potential of quiet assurance and wisdom;
- behind appearances of misery and depression, there is great potential of lasing and abiding joy.

To be conscious of that as we deal with others is to walk in love toward them. Not to be conscious of that is to be out of touch with the Spirit of love.

Even the best act of giving or service, when it is done in an attitude of superiority (that is, "I am strong, you are weak", "I am rich, you are poor") lacks love and serves only for ego reinforcement.

Why it is important to see people in a positive way? Quantum physics tells that the power of observation changes what we observe. This is true in the spiritual realm as well. The way we look at others, the way we talk about others, makes a great difference in their lives.

As Charles Fillmore wrote,

"Do not be afraid to pour out your love upon all the so-called evil in the world. Deny the appearance of evil, and affirm the omnipotence and omnipresence of love and goodness. Take no account of the evil that appears in your life and your affairs. Refuse to see it as evil. Declare that what seems evil has somewhere a good side, which shall through your persistent affirmation of its presence be made visible. By using this creative power of your own thought you will change that which seemed evil into good, and divine love will pour its healing balm over all".

(to be continued)