Jesus gave two commandments and said they held all the others: love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. Nearly every tradition says something like it.

The tradition of Gnosis agrees, and adds one word. Love is the law, but conscious love.

Unconscious love is often a self wearing love’s face. It is love that wants something back, love that clings, love that cannot say no. It gives alcohol to the drunkard because he asked nicely. Conscious love sees clearly. It gives water to the thirsty, and it refuses the weapon to the one who wants to hurt.

So love here is not a soft feeling. It is clear seeing, and acting for another’s real good, even when that is hard.

The hardest test is the person you dislike. Loving those who love you is easy. The selves do it too. To act kindly toward someone who annoys you, or who has hurt you, is where the third factor becomes real. It also shows you exactly which selves are still in charge.

You do not need to feel love to act with it. Act, and watch.