How can we tell the difference between love and sexuality when, in relationships between couples, the two generally go together? Sexuality, when expressed without love, is an egocentric tendency which incites human beings to seek their own pleasure, even to the detriment of their partner. Love, on the contrary, thinks first and foremost of the other’s happiness. It is based on sacrifice: the sacrifice of time, energy or money, if necessary, in order to help the other, to enable the other to blossom and develop all his or her qualities. Nothing is more beautiful than love, when men and women are ready to accept deprivation, to wrest something from themselves in order to give it.
So ask yourself whether the person you love is benefiting from your love. If they are becoming ill and weak and losing their love for life, ask yourself what you have done to harm this creature. You should have taken care of them as you would tend a garden flower. But if you see that the person you love is growing and blossoming thanks to your love, you can be glad and thank heaven.
Only when you are able to sacrifice for the good of the other are you truly capable of love.
Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov Love and Sexuality
