Unconditional Love: The Universal Longing That Can Transform Our World
How All the Problems of Mankind Have a Single Fundamental Solution
Why is Love not ubiquitous?
Everyone desires to be loved. And everyone likes to love.
Then why is it not the reality we experience every day?
Despite its universality as a longing, love—pure, unconditional love—remains elusive.
What is love, after all?
It is hard to put in words, to be honest.
Perhaps it’s the simple yet profound affection for another, the warm feeling of “liking.” It’s not just an emotion; it’s a force that has driven humanity for centuries. We associate love with happiness, gratitude, and even fear—fear of losing it, fear of not being reciprocated. Yet, if love is so central to our emotional makeup, why is it not present everywhere, always?
The Universal Motivation Behind Human Actions
Every human action, at its core, has one simple aim: to feel comfortable, joyful, or secure. We act to make life interesting, to feel good, to avoid boredom, to ensure survival, and ultimately, to move toward a pleasant future. The craving for dopamine, basically. But this pursuit of comfort and joy often becomes conditional. We tie our happiness to external results, many of which lie beyond our control.
For example, someone might feel joyful because of an external accomplishment, but this joy is fleeting. It depends on a condition, an outcome. And the moment that condition changes, the joy fades. The same applies to love. People want to be loved unconditionally, but do they equally want to love unconditionally?
Barriers to Joy and Unconditional Love
If joy and love are such universal aspirations, what prevents their constant presence in our lives? The answer lies in the conditions we impose. Joy becomes transactional, and love is often withheld out of fear—fear of being vulnerable, of being exploited, of loving without receiving anything in return.
To love unconditionally is not easy. It requires overcoming these fears and embracing uncertainty. The question arises: How can one ensure that the other party will also love unconditionally? How can we prevent exploitation when we give love freely?
Strengthen Inner Resilience
Unconditional love requires vulnerability, yes, but vulnerability becomes less daunting when paired with inner resilience. Being meditative and self-reflective help build this resilience by grounding us in our own sense of worth and security. When we know our love flows from an abundant inner source, the fear of exploitation diminishes.
Think of it this way: A full cup can afford to overflow. By nurturing ourselves, we ensure that our love remains an offering, not a depletion.
Shift from Transaction to Contribution
The fear of exploitation often stems from seeing human interactions as transactions—"If I give, I must receive."
Unconditional love operates on a different paradigm: contribution. It asks, "What can I give to this person or situation that aligns with my values and brings joy to me, regardless of the outcome?"
This doesn’t mean ignoring practical needs, but it reframes love as an act of creation, not negotiation. When we understand love this way, we feel fulfilled in the act itself, less affected by how it’s received.
A Thought Experiment: A World of Unconditional Love
Imagine a world where we solve all problems with unconditional love. There are no wars, no borders, no crimes. People trust one another. Everyone is in their comfort zone. It’s the ultimate vision of world peace.
But is such a world sustainable? What happens to human drive when there is no struggle? Will we lose our sense of purpose?
As Viktor Frankl explored in ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’, struggle often gives life its deepest significance. In this utopia, what would push humanity forward?
Yes there is something.
It’s the power of solitude and consciousness—the ability to look inward and find meaning beyond external achievements - which is only possible by human beings. When humans operate at their peak consciousness, they feel superhuman.
Who knows? This might even lead to the evolution of a “superhuman” species.
The Essence of Unconditional Love and Joy
Moments of unconditional joy are already familiar to us. Think of watching a breathtaking sunset, being immersed in a captivating story, or losing yourself in music. In these moments, the burden of “self” dissolves. The observer becomes one with the observed. There’s no “I” or “me”—only pure presence.
The same happens with unconditional love. When we love unconditionally, whether it’s a person, an animal, a passion, or even an idea like science or spirituality, we lose ourselves in that love. The boundaries between the observer and the observed blur, and all that remains is unity.
A Call to Action: Promoting Unconditional Love
What can we do as individuals to promote unconditional love universally? It begins with small, simple actions: a genuine smile, a kind word, a moment of patience. Realise how brief life is and how insignificant many of our fears truly are. Unconditional love might well be the single solution to all the earthly problems of human life.
Yet, there’s a hurdle. How do we ensure that others also love unconditionally? How do we prevent exploitation in a world where we give freely? These are questions that challenge us, but they shouldn’t stop us from trying. Even if unconditional love feels risky, it’s a risk worth taking.
Love Beyond the Self
In the end, the “I” is the biggest barrier to unconditional love. The self—its ego, its insecurities, its desires—creates walls that separate us from the world. When we dissolve the “I,” love and joy flow naturally. It’s not about abandoning individuality but transcending it, realising that we are all interconnected.
Love doesn’t just happen between people; it can happen between a person and a passion, an idea, or even a concept of God. When we lose ourselves in love, we find something greater—unity, peace, and even a glimpse of the Infinite.
As the great Tamil sage Thiruvalluvar wrote in the famous Thirukkural 2000 years ago:
"And is there a bar that can even restrain Love?
The tiny tear shall make the Lover's secret plain."
(Kural 71)
This couplet eloquently illustrates how love, no matter how deeply hidden, will find a way to express itself. Tears—the raw manifestation of affection—reveal the truths we try to conceal. In the same way, unconditional love has the potential to break through the toughest barriers, whether within individuals or across nations.
So, let’s take the first step. Smile. Be kind just like that, without expecting. And perhaps, in our small ways, we can inch closer to a world where unconditional love is no longer the exception but the rule.
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