How common is self-love, what happens without it, and how does it relate to self-esteem?

Self-love is very essential in boosting our self-esteem. A person having self-love is contented with his own presence, whereas a person who does not have self-love always wanders to get love from other people or things. He is always restless. He never feels satisfied even after receiving love from people. His hunger for love never ceases, and hence he demands more and more attention from others. As a result, his relationships are ruined and he always lives in misery.

So, let us understand what is self-love, and the way to cultivate it.

So often we find people who always think about themselves. They seem to love themselves so much that they even maintain relationships only if they find profit in it. They love themselves to the extent that they can harm others for their own benefit. This kind of attitude is called ‘selfishness’.

On the other hand, a person with self-love loves everyone as much as he loves himself. He is an embodiment of love; only pure love flows from him. He doesn’t expect others to love him, but he spreads love and happiness to all. People who come in interaction with him feel love and oneness with him. He is loved by all!

A well-known example of one having self-love is Lord Krishna. We all know the stories of little Krishna, don’t we?! Even now, when we see or listen to his stories, our hearts get filled with love and bliss. Do you know, what is the special thing in Little Krishna that makes everyone feel happy even when he steals butter? His self-love makes everyone feel one with Him. His self-love spreads love around Him.

How to cultivate Self-love?

When one realizes his real ‘Self’, Self-love arises. Our real Self itself is an embodiment of love and bliss. But because we are ignorant about our real Self, we are constantly searching for love here and there.

A Gnani Purush (One who has realized the Self and is able to do the same for others) has realized His Self and can make others also experience their ‘Self’ through the process of Self-realization. Upon Self-realization, we can experience the love of the Self. Also, with the divine eyes given by the Gnani Purush, we can see each and every living being in their real form. We experience oneness with every being. When we do not see anyone at fault, automatically people around us will feel loved by us.

After Self-realization, the Self-love makes us feel contented. We then do not run after anybody or anything to find happiness, as Self-love after Self-realization gives us permanent happiness. All our sufferings like feeling ignored, lack of happiness, loss of relationships, loss in business, or any kind of other misery cannot affect a Self-realized person.

Lack of Self-love is the root cause for our wandering in different life forms.

Basically, there are two types of Self:

1) The real Self and
2) the other is the relative self.

The real Self is the pure Soul and the relative self is our body-mind complex named, John (insert your name here). Due to the ignorance of the real Self, we believe that we are really John. Accordingly, we start loving the people or circumstances that favour John and hate those who are against John. Owing to this attachment and hatred, we bind merit karmas and demerit karmas, and wander in human, animal, celestial and hellish life forms.

How many people have real Self-love?

Very few!
Real Self-love starts only after realizing the real Self. And once we have Self-love, we will have such confidence and high self-esteem that nothing in the world can shatter us.

So come, let us meet the living Gnani, and with his grace attai
Self-Realization. This will open up the gateways to Self-love!

To read more, visit: https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/self-help/