One Love
The Universal Language of Compassion And Unity
"One Love" is a phrase that transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries, encapsulating a powerful message of unity, compassion, and interconnectedness.
Originating from reggae legend Bob Marley's iconic song, "One Love" has become more than just a catchy lyric; it has evolved into a symbol of hope, understanding, and the belief that we are all connected by a common thread.
And so this is Christmas
At time of writing we are rapidly approach Christmas, the time of year when we celebrate the mid-winter season with much food, drink and conviviality amongst friends and family. Traditionally this marked the end of harvest and the winter solstice.
For Christians this is a time of looking back over two thousand years and celebrating the birth of Christ, a one-time event in the history of humanity when the divine reached down into its creation and incarnated in human form to bring salvation to a lost and ego centric world.
For the secular majority this is a time of celebrating family, friendships and relationships and it is rich in traditions that prefigure the Christian presentation of Christmas.
However we see Christmas, the seasonal celebrations are deeply rooted in powerful sentiments of togetherness, sharing, belonging, and if we drill down deep enough love, "one love".
The Roots of One Love
Bob Marley's "One Love" was released in 1965 as a call for unity and love in a world marked by division and strife.
Inspired by the Rastafarian philosophy, Marley's lyrics encourage people to come together despite differences, emphasizing the shared humanity that unites us all.
The song became an anthem for peace, love, and social justice, earning Marley international acclaim and solidifying his status as a musical and cultural icon.
Universal Themes of Unity
"One Love" resonates with people from various walks of life because its message transcends cultural, religious, and geographical boundaries.
The idea of coming together in the spirit of love and understanding is universally appealing, offering a glimmer of hope in times of discord.
It serves as a reminder that, despite our diverse backgrounds and experiences, we are all part of the same human family.
"We are more united and have far more in common with each other, than things that which divides us." [Jo Cox]
Beyond Music - The Impact of One Love
The lyrics of "One Love" also touch on issues of social justice and equality. Marley's call to "let's get together and feel all right" encourages collective action to address societal injustices.
The song emphasizes the importance of solidarity in the face of adversity, motivating listeners to stand up against discrimination, poverty, and oppression.
"One Love" has transcended its musical origins to become a mantra for movements advocating peace, love, and social change. Its influence extends beyond the realm of music, inspiring individuals, organizations, and even governments to work towards a more harmonious world.
The phrase has been embraced in various forms, from art and fashion to social media hashtags, serving as a unifying force in the digital age.
In recent years, "One Love" has found renewed relevance in the context of global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and social unrest.
Movements that promote unity, compassion, and collective action often adopt the phrase as a rallying cry, emphasizing the need for a shared effort to address pressing issues that affect us all.
And Yet...
"One Love" stands as a timeless and universal message that transcends the boundaries of language, culture, and geography.
In a world often marked by division and strife, the phrase serves as a reminder of our shared humanity and the power of love to bring about positive change.
Whether through music, art, or activism, "One Love" continues to inspire individuals and communities to come together, fostering a sense of compassion and unity that is crucial for creating a better world for future generations.
And yet powerful as this message is, it remains an aspiration, a figment of collective wishful thinking without a clear focal point for personal action.
We live in a divided world, at time or writing we are now approaching the third year of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and more recently we have the conflict between Israel and Hamas currently taking place in Gaza.
If we reflect deeply, we can see that these divisions ultimately go back to the fact that we are centred on a separated self.
We all believe in a separated self – I am separate from you, you from the other, and so on.
That is an illusion. There are no separated selves. We create this image of a separate self and then we begin to quarrel and to fight with one another.
Behind all these separated selves there is a transcendent self and the true natue of that transcendent self is love, "one love".
One Love - The Greatest Love
We live in an energetic universe.
The highest and most powerful energy in our universe is love, One Love.
You can experience it and connect with it in your heart.
One love is:
- The true nature of consciousness.
- The ground of all being.
- Inside of you.
- The felt sense of sunyata / emptiness.
- The awakened heart, the felt sense of the buddha nature.
- The felt sense of the Tao.
- The felt sense of God.
- The divine within.
- The true nature of your spirit.
- Immortal.
- A love that transcends the duality of your day to day lived experience.
- Experienced relationally within duality [i.e. you can have a relationship with it].
- The most all encompassing and fulfilling experience of love that you can ever have.
- The love that will never let you go.
- Not a concept or a belief, nor is it a dogma or religion. This is a lived experience.
- Deeper than a parent's love, closer and more intimate than a lover's love and more supportive than the very best friend.
- Your greatest guide and mentor.
- The greatest love that you can ever know.
- The greatest love that most people will never know.
For reflection and meditation:
Melvin Escobar teaches metta, a concentration practice to cultivate unconditional goodwill for all.
In precarious times like these, it’s a way to listen to our hearts.
Further Reading:
More In Common And The Narcissism of Minor Differences
The Meaning Of Life - Is Entirely What You Choose It To Be
Everything Is Connected And Why You Don't Feel It
The Greatest Love - The Most Important Relationship You Will Ever Have
Return from "One Love" to: Walking The Talk
- What if everything we think…
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