Love by Leo Buscaglia
“Cheating for love is the most terrible deceit; it is an eternal loss for which there is no repair, neither in time nor in eternity.” – Kierkegaard
This is a book simply about LOVE. “A learned phenomenon”.
It is not deeply philosophical or complicated. It’s a simple and easy read that is meant to be shared not just with words, but with actions. It is about daring to expose yourself. Be vulnerable and give without reservations or expectations.
I picked up this book in January 1984 and carried it and read it over and over again over the years. It brought me great joy and great hope during a time when I was young and feeling rebellious, invincible, and strong. At 22, I felt that this was the best book I had ever read. It was the right time in my life to explore, learn, and understand what love meant to me. While it never won any awards as far as I know, I loved it then and still love it now with its yellowish, curled pages.
Now about Karma; Although he does not use that word in the book, he does speak of the way love returns when we kindly give to others. How what we do in this world will reflect on us.
Leo was a university professor by profession. I had the idea of a new class to add to the curriculum. I wanted to present a college class on “LOVE.” When he pitched his idea to the dean, and with much discussion it was accepted, (after much criticism), but only if he did it in his spare time, without charge credit and without salary. The idea seemed ridiculous to the other teachers. He ignored the teasing and went ahead with this great idea. The idea was not adopted by many students, but slowly and steadily, enrollment increased. Ultimately, he had to limit himself to 100 students.
These were students of all ages interested in “Love Class”. They shared ideas, feelings, and observations relevant to the human condition. Although they were never able to define love, one student came up with a wonderful explanation:
“I find love like a mirror. When I love another, he becomes my mirror and I his, and the reflection in the love of the other, we see infinity!”
There are those who dismiss love as a naive romantic concept, while others find that love is all-encompassing and the greatest and deepest feeling that must be gifted.
Read and decide.
I loved this book.
Leave a Reply