I rise to taste the dawn, and find that love alone will shine

"I rise to taste the dawn, and find that love alone will shine today." These poignant words by Ken Wilber speak to the profound and transformative power of love. In this simple yet deeply evocative statement, Wilber captures a universal truth—that love, in its purest and most selfless form, is the ultimate source of light and guidance in our lives. To rise with the dawn is to greet a new day, full of possibilities and challenges, yet it is love that will illuminate the path before us, regardless of the obstacles or uncertainties we may face. It is through love—both given and received—that we find the strength to move forward, to face the day with a sense of purpose and connection.

In the ancient traditions, love was not merely an emotion or a fleeting feeling but a divine force that transcended the individual. In the teachings of Plato, love, or Eros, was seen as the driving force behind the pursuit of truth and wisdom. It was through love that the soul could ascend to higher understanding and unity with the divine. The idea of philia (brotherly love) and agape (selfless love) in the ancient Greek world also reflected the belief that love, when expressed selflessly, has the power to bind people together and create harmony in the world. Wilber’s reflection mirrors these ancient teachings: love is not a passive sentiment but an active force that has the ability to transform both the individual and the collective.

The great spiritual leaders throughout history have often spoken of love as the key to enlightenment and inner peace. Consider the life of Gautama Buddha, who, through his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, came to understand that true peace and freedom come from a heart filled with compassion and love for all beings. His teachings centered on the practice of loving-kindness (metta), and through this love, one can overcome the suffering that binds the soul. Similarly, Jesus Christ, in his ministry, taught that love is the foundation of all commandments—love of God and love of others. It was through love that Jesus brought healing, reconciliation, and a vision of the Kingdom of God that transcended boundaries and brought people together in a divine unity.

In more recent history, figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. have also demonstrated the power of love as the ultimate force for change and justice. Gandhi’s commitment to nonviolent resistance was rooted in a deep love for humanity, and his belief that only through love and suffering could true freedom be achieved. Martin Luther King Jr., in his struggle for civil rights, preached a similar message: that love was not only the highest moral value but the most powerful weapon against oppression and hatred. Both men understood that love, when wielded with conviction, courage, and sacrifice, has the power to dismantle the most entrenched systems of injustice.

Wilber’s insight also speaks to the inner journey of the soul. To taste the dawn is not merely to observe the arrival of morning, but to engage with the freshness and renewal that each new day offers. Each day is an opportunity to connect with the divine presence of love that resides within us and in all things. The dawn symbolizes not just the beginning of a day, but the light of understanding and compassion that we bring into the world. It is through this light of love that we transcend the darkness of confusion, fear, and doubt, finding our way toward peace and wholeness.

The lesson in Wilber’s words is one of awakening to the power of love in our daily lives. To rise each day with the intention to let love guide our actions, thoughts, and interactions is to align ourselves with the highest form of humanity. Love is not something that merely happens to us; it is a force that we must actively choose to engage with. It is through love that we find our true purpose and our deepest connection to others. Love is not just a feeling but a call to action, a call to bring light into the world through every act of kindness, compassion, and understanding.

In our own lives, we must take Wilber’s wisdom to heart. Every day, we are given the opportunity to choose love—whether in our interactions with others, in our approach to challenges, or in the way we view the world. Let us not wait for external circumstances to change, but let us begin each day by embracing love as the guiding principle in all that we do. Whether our tasks are mundane or lofty, we must remember that it is love alone that gives them meaning, purpose, and value. By living from a place of love, we can shine in the world as beacons of hope, compassion, and understanding, bringing light to those around us and to ourselves.