A Question to Answer

The spontaneous response which came to me was 'Freedom'.

Conditions bring attachments; and unconsciously we don't realise that these same things hold us back from freely expressing. We don't realise it's our own spirit that we confine by setting expectations much of the time, because we live in this earthly space where everything has an association of some sort.

But love could be such an unbounded thing! It is blissful when given freely! Your heart can just literally open with giving it! That is the limitless benefit to unconditional loving! Not too much can beat this…

This is my take on it. I am so happy to contribute here!

In love, Friend, Sherri

Hi MsCapriKell,

Like this question! Thank you.

There are no consequences, but only benefits to unconditonal love. (This does not mean it is painless. Remaining open in the midst of reactivity, sense of betrayal and misunderstanding hurts! but it is more painful to close the heart; a self-fulfilling prophecy). However, if we are not accutely aware of impermanence and are unable to embrace our own pain whilst communing with others, then we are exponentially, more likely to experience the consequences of conditional love. Relations are me and we-centred instead of being-centred. The “love” becomes more “ruled'”and less organic. The potential to go juicy-deep is denied.

I would be happy to contribute more….

pleased to meet you,

Sha

- acceptance of what is..

(Hi Kelly, great question to stumbleupon, thx : )

- acceptance of what is.

(hi kelly, great question to stumbleupon, thx : )

abundance comes to mind

gratitude for all that Is and the creator, nothing excluded, unconditional love is inclusive - no exclusions.

What are the consequences of unconditional love.

The word consequence tends to resonate as something somehow negative. 

I would say two things come to mind with unconditional love.

Acceptance (for who you are or of another)
Being taken for granted (which can lead to neglect)

Well, Grrrl,

This is like another one of them, “Aw, Jesus, Edith!” questions that Siona gets so much glee out of torturing me with around here.

I don't even know ya and you're already making me think!

My first response was: “More love and peace on earth.”  I thought I could just write that here, but my hands wouldn't let me, and then after I read the responses my brain was on fire and you know how that is – especially for a Pooh of very little brain, like MY-Self; Man, I can't afford to lose no brain cells.

I understand why many of the responses have separated consequences from outcomes, or benefits, but I don't think of consequences as having any negative connotation.  I believe there are positive and negative outcomes and I believe there are positive and negative consequences.  I tend to think of actions in terms of reactions, consequences, or effects: Some good, some bad.

I know that almost without exception, showering those around me with love has enabled me to live a much better life. 

I know that very rarely telling someone that you love THEM unconditionally leads them to think that THEY can behave any way that THEY choose at any time. 

This makes some people think that I have no judgment, or moral discernment; this could not be further from the truth.  When people take certain unpleasant actions, or project reactions upon me, I have to explain the difference between a human being and a human doing.  I have to explain to THEM that while I love THEM unconditionally as a human being,  I do not approve of everyone's every action and usually I mean the particular action that I am seeing.

Right on, TextMage! Separate the behavior from the person; that's a great way to give and teach unconditional love.

I will link to a conversation very apropo to this question:
http://pods.gaia.com/power_of_light/discussions/view/354672

A quote from Isha, whose advertisement appears on our sidebars at Gaia:
“There is nothing more fulfilling than unconditional love of self, and when we experience it, we can extend that love to every aspect of creation.”

My answer ”What are the consequences of unconditional love?”
If one is the giver: the ability to extend love to all creation. This results in ascending to the next level of development and the expansion of the heart chakra.
If one is the receiver: the ability to heal and self-forgive and then quite possibly to ascend the spiral of development to the next level.

So it looks like the consequence of unconditional love is growth.

Joy, peace and connection to God.  When we truly love, I think we are allowing God to love through us.  In my experience God is unconditional love and is the only pure love.  I'm part of a Chrisian Mystic path and work with a spiritual teacher who helps me to clear out the negative patterns and defenses I've learned to let God come through me and love others.  Father Peter Bowes is one of the co-directors of the order.  He has authored three books-The Word Within, Spiritual Astrology and The Radical Path.  These are all available if your interested at lulu.com.   When I am able to see someone and not react to their behavior, I see them as the soul they are and I feel God's love flow through.

A beautiful wide-open question Kelly,

Years ago i found this passage on Peter Russell's website…

Love

Love is not something you do,
It is not how you behave.
There's nothing you can do that constitutes loving another,
No action that is of itself loving.
Love is a way of being.
And more than that.
It is simply being,
Being with another person, however they may be.
Holding no judgements, having no agendas,
No need to have them experience your love,
No desire to demonstrate love,
No intrusion upon their soul.
Nothing but a total acceptance of their being,
Born of your total acceptance of yours.

…so with that passage in mind – to me a consequence of unconditional love is the ability to BE me from the inside out.
much love,   Lisa

How interesting! I've been with unconditional love this week, since starting a series of meditation in the Power of Success through Divine Love Experiment  pod.

Unconditional love consequences?
The experience of oneness…

Being aware of it?
Immediate manifestations in relationships.

I have enjoyed every perspective given above. Facets of the diamond.

from love comes more love
unconditional ?
to be in a place where one can give it is in itself a blessing
the giver will receive it no conditions … however there is no expectaction right?
so  the question itself is  potentiallly implosive..
be happy
thanks for the question
j
 

Today, I had a wonderful day filled with love and I thought more about this question: The wonderful thing about loving, giving love and being loving is that I get to experience love all the while.  When love is returned to me, I think that's groovy, but whatever the return, I've already had the live internal experience of my own loving action.  It's a little like a double-payback.

Humility, freedom and Peace. 

Conditonal  love expects something in return. Unconditonal love never expects anything in return. Just love anything and everything, any one or any living being , love this world and the universe. simly feeling the love without anything in return. This is what I feel about unconditional love. There will be no consequences at all. Only love will exist.

Right on, Sanmugan!  Only a bright blossoming of planet-wide lovewill exist and it's on its merry Way to ALL of US right now.  Love to you, RicHIe

Miss Kelly,  I found this question and your answer to be wonderfully thoughtful.  I loved reading it, and all the comments.  My favorite part is your beautiful description of laughter, acceptance, freedom, sympathy, empathy, honor, and integrity.

I may not know much about unconditional love..
and when we say “love” what do we really have in mind?
there are many kinds of love : )

I may understand unconditional love much better than a year or two before, but I remember that the first steps were: conquere my fears, and first give that unconditional love to myself.

People sometimes may think that loving unconditionally is to allow others treat us however they want, but if  you allow them to do that, you are not loving yourself unconditionally.

I really cannot agree with the statement that If i love unconditionally  than i do not want anything from the person. That is close to indifference. I feel….
There are many examples I could give, but talking about a romantic relationship  
If I really love someone - I want EVERYTHING from him and even more.
(i am not talking about material  things though..
but about being demanding  on the person's integrity, standarts, character. ambitions)
And the more I love the more I want..

What also matters: how do I make the demands…
at some point you need to let it go,
notice when do you start showing signs of disrespect.. or lack of acceptance

Now you can say I am on some lower stage of a spiritual development.. but i know what i know .. and I never received a good advice from anyone about how to love, except .. when listening to my heart.

Thank you , Kelly, for posting this question.

Sending lots of kisses!
And I trust that you are happy !

Oh, i forgot to answer the question:
The consequence of unconditional love is Growth.
_________________
and this is what I can say on December 2nd 2008,  at 19:01 MST