A Quote from Gerald May

"This transformative process -- The freeing of love from attachment -- is akin to the ancient biblical concept of salvation. ... In contrast to life -denying asceticism that advocates freedom from desire, [Saint Teresa of Avila] and [Saint John of the Cross] see authentic transformation as leading to freedom for desire. For them, the essence of all human desire is love." Gerald May, The Dark Night of the Soul: A Psychiatrist Explores the Connection Between Darkness and Spiritual Growth, 2004, p. 73 Sacrificial love -----is not something we achieve ----------on our own -----as if it were a college degree -----or a merit raise. Sacrificial love... -----it is patient ----------and kind. -----it knows no envy ----------nor pride, ---------------nor selfishness -----it is full of trust ----------and hope ----------and perseverance. We might taste it, -----but we cannot live it, ----------unless we are transformed. ----------unless our love is transformed, ---------------from a grasping --------------------clinging -------------------------demanding ------------------------------attachment to self, -----to a free-falling trust into the Ground of all True Love ----------who comes to us in the vulnerability of a little baby ----------and in the sorrow of shattered body, ---------------naked and bleeding, --------------------on a cross. No one lives this Love apart from transformation. wme