The Prophet
Kahlil Gibran
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say,
‘God is in my heart,’ but rather, ‘I am in the heart of God.’5
And think not you can direct the course of love,
for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.10
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart
and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;15
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
In this poem, Kahlil Gibran reflects on the nature of love. He suggests that love is self-sufficient and doesn't possess or desire anything outside of itself. Love is not something that can be directed or controlled, but rather, it directs those who are worthy of it. Love's only desire is to fulfill itself.
However, if one must have desires while being in love, Gibran suggests that they should include being like a running brook that sings its melody to the night, experiencing the pain of tenderness, being wounded by their own understanding of love, and being willing to bleed joyfully and willingly.
Gibran also highlights the importance of gratitude and reflection in love. He mentions waking up with a winged heart and being grateful for another day of loving, taking time to meditate on love's ecstasy during the noon hour, and returning home with gratitude in the evening. Finally, he suggests ending the day with a prayer for the beloved in one's heart and a song of praise on one's lips.
Overall, this poem emphasizes the power and beauty of love, while also acknowledging its complexities and the need for gratitude and self-reflection.
The passage you provided is from the book "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran. It reflects a philosophical and poetic exploration of love. In these lines, Gibran challenges the conventional understanding of love and offers a deeper perspective. The passage suggests that love is an entity in itself, both selfless and self-sufficient. It states that love cannot be possessed nor does it seek to possess.
In order to truly understand the essence of love as expressed in this passage, it is important to reflect on its meaning and interpretation. You can start by contemplating the idea that love is not confined to the individual but rather exists within a larger cosmic context. This means that love is not about self-importance but about merging with the divine and being a part of something greater.
Furthermore, the passage emphasizes that love is uncontrollable and independent. It cannot be directed or manipulated by anyone, as it assumes its rightful place and course in one's life. The essence of love lies in its natural flow and fulfillment.
The passage also touches upon the desires that may arise from love. It suggests that if desires emerge from love, they should be desires that enable personal growth and transformation. These desires include becoming like a flowing brook, experiencing the pain that comes with deep tenderness, understanding love in a way that may cause one pain, and willingly embracing that pain. It also speaks of gratitude, meditation, and prayer as essential elements of a life devoted to love.
Overall, this passage from "The Prophet" provides insights into the nature of love that are both beautiful and profound. It encourages us to rethink our understanding of love and invites us to embrace love as a force that has the potential to bring joy, transformation, and spiritual growth.
This passage is from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran. It speaks about the nature of love and its importance in life. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the key ideas expressed:
1. Love gives and takes from itself: Love is self-sustaining, it does not require anything outside of itself to exist or flourish. It is self-sufficient.
2. Love does not possess or want to be possessed: Love is not about control or ownership. It is free and does not seek to be controlled or control others.
3. Love is a connection with God: When you love, you are in the heart of God. It is a spiritual connection that transcends individual boundaries and merges with the divine.
4. Love directs its course: Love has its own path and does not need to be directed by human will. It can guide and shape our lives if we are worthy of its presence.
5. Love's desire is to fulfill itself: Love's purpose is to be expressed and experienced, to fulfill its own essence.
6. Desires within love: If you have desires within love, let them be desires that align with the essence of love itself.
7. To be like a running brook: Aspire to be like a running brook, constantly flowing and singing a song of joy and harmony.
8. To know the pain of tenderness: Enlightenment in love can also bring vulnerability and pain. Understanding this pain is part of the journey.
9. To be wounded by your own understanding of love: Deep understanding of love can lead to emotional vulnerability and the willingness to endure pain for the sake of love.
10. To wake with a winged heart: Start each day with a heart filled with love, gratitude, and a sense of freedom.
11. To rest and meditate on love's ecstasy: Take moments throughout the day to pause, reflect, and fully appreciate the joy and ecstasy that love brings.
12. To return home with gratitude: At the end of the day, come back to a place of gratitude and appreciation for the love in your life.
13. To sleep with a prayer for the beloved: Before sleeping, hold thoughts of love and care for your beloved close to your heart, and let your last words be ones of praise and gratitude for the love in your life.
These steps offer a framework for understanding the nature and expression of love in our lives.