"Something unique
happens when we wake in the morning and remind ourselves that we are
the Light of the World."
Love is a word that is written
about extensively in spiritual books and articles. I must admit that I
sometimes get bored reading interpretations of the concept of love. As I
opened "Teach Only Love, The Twelve Principles of Attitudinal
Healing" by Gerald G Jampolsky, M.D. I was expecting more of the
same, but was pleasantly surprised.
I didn’t realise how much I had
to learn about the awesome healing power of love, the way people act
from fear, and the real meaning of forgiveness.
Gerald Jampolsky, or as he likes
to be called, Jerry, is a psychiatrist who became an atheist and an
alcoholic early in his career as a result of his own personal tragedies.
He was one of the many to transform his life through the spiritual book
"A Course in Miracles" published by the Foundation for Inner
Peace. He went on to found the first Center for Attitudinal Healing to
help adults and children with serious illness develop inner peace.
The Center developed twelve
principles that are explained in the book that work toward bringing love
and inner peace into our lives as well as helping us turn away from
fear.
"Teach Only Love" is
filled with stories about inspirational children and adults who have
transcended the restrictions of serious illness. Some have proven
medical science wrong while others have lived life to the full while
becoming shining lights for all.
I read the book slowly, pausing to
reflect after reading each passage, and finding myself crying at each
touching story as I read in parks, on the bus, and in the lunchroom.
This is a deeply touching book that I will read over and over again to
keep learning about love and about resisting the ego’s pull toward
acting from fear.
With Dr. Jampolsky’s help, I
learn to live in the moment; to always expect the best; that I am a part
of a greater picture; that I must work from forgiveness, understanding,
love, gratitude, and peace; that I am more than my body; that in giving
to others I receive; to look for the love in others rather than the
faults; to find peace within when without is chaos; not to be afraid of
death; and be a example of love for others.
You and I both know the importance
of all of these ideals but how many of us struggle to bring them into
our lives? "Teach
Only Love" provides a wonderful basis to work from as we learn
from the children and adults who have become examples unconditional love
to all.
We have teachers all around us if
we act from love and see each other with an open heart. There are many
people who in turn can learn from us because by finding peace we pave
the way for others.
Imagine what the world would be
like if everyone acted from love, if we understood and nourished our
connection to each other, and saw ourselves in each person we interact
with daily. Imagine that we all truly believed that anything is
possible, and we finally let go of the past. How wonderful would that
be? This is the kind of world we can live in by bringing the twelve
principles of Attitudinal Healing into our lives.
Gerald
Jampolsky is a psychiatrist, author, international speaker and
co-founder of the Center for Attitudinal Healing. He is the author
of numerous books including: