The quote “True love is that we should hate whatever interferes with our vision of the high and the lowly” suggests that genuine love involves a commitment to both ideals and realities. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing what elevates us (the “high”) and what diminishes us or others (the “lowly”). True love, then, is not blind; it requires discernment regarding what disrupts our ability to see clearly, whether that’s in our relationships or broader societal issues.
From one perspective, this could mean nurturing a vision that aspires to higher values—such as compassion, integrity, and growth—while also being aware of injustices or negative influences that hinder those aspirations. The “high” could represent noble goals like kindness and understanding, while the “lowly” might refer to fear, hate, or ignorance.
In today’s world, this concept can play out in various contexts. For example:
1. **Personal Relationships**: In personal development contexts such as friendships or romantic partnerships, true love means identifying toxic behaviors—whether in ourselves or others—that degrade these relationships. This could involve setting boundaries against jealousy or dishonesty so that genuine connection can thrive.
2. **Social Justice**: On a broader societal level, applying this idea might mean actively opposing systemic issues like racism or inequality because they obstruct progress toward a more just society (the “high”). It calls for loving action against those things that perpetuate suffering for individuals considered “lowly” within social hierarchies.
3. **Self-Love**: In terms of self-development, recognizing what hinders your own growth is crucial for personal success and happiness. This may involve confronting self-doubt or negative thought patterns—the “lowly”—which prevent you from achieving your potential—the “high.” Embracing practices like mindfulness helps in clarifying one’s values while rejecting harmful internal narratives.
4. **Global Perspective**: On an international level, acknowledging global disparities challenges individuals to advocate for equality across nations (“high”) while addressing poverty and oppression (“low”). True love here drives efforts towards humanitarian work aimed at reducing suffering worldwide.
Ultimately, applying this principle encourages active engagement rather than passive acceptance—it’s about fostering awareness in our lives where we strive for betterment while rejecting forces that compromise it. Love becomes a powerful motivator not just for personal fulfillment but also for collective upliftment—a dual responsibility shaped by clarity of vision towards both aspiration (the high) and empathy towards adversity (the lowly).
