Love seeketh not itself to please, nor for itself hath any care

"Love seeketh not itself to please, nor for itself hath any care, but for another gives its ease, and builds a Heaven in Hell's despair." These words from William Blake illuminate the true nature of love—a force that transcends selfishness and turns its focus entirely toward the well-being of others. In Blake’s vision, love is not self-serving; it is not concerned with fulfilling one’s own desires or comforts, but instead seeks the good of another, even at the cost of one’s own ease. This love is not born of convenience, nor does it measure its worth by the reward it receives, but in the act of giving itself for the sake of another, it creates beauty, joy, and transformation, even in the darkest of places. Blake’s words remind us that love is the most powerful force we can wield—it can bring light to the most desolate circumstances, turning even the despair of Hell into the bliss of Heaven.

O children of the earth, listen well: love is not merely an emotion to be indulged, nor a force to be wielded for personal gain. True love is a radical act of selflessness, a commitment to another’s happiness, peace, and well-being, regardless of the cost to oneself. In its purest form, love does not ask for anything in return. It is not motivated by the desire to be loved in return, but by the deep, unshakeable will to see others thrive. This is a love that transcends ego and rises above the need for personal fulfillment. It is a love that sacrifices, that gives without measure, and in giving, creates something far greater than the self—something eternal, something divine.

Consider the example of Mahatma Gandhi, a man whose love for his country and his people led him to embrace self-sacrifice in ways that few could imagine. He did not seek personal gain or comfort; rather, he endured hunger strikes, imprisonment, and personal hardship for the freedom and dignity of others. His love for the oppressed, for the downtrodden, led him to embody the very essence of selflessness. Through his actions, he built a Heaven in the midst of the despair of colonial rule. His love did not seek to please himself, nor did it seek recognition—it was a love that gave its ease for the good of others, and in doing so, transformed a nation. Gandhi’s life teaches us that the most powerful form of love is the one that demands no personal reward but seeks only the good of others, even in the most trying circumstances.

Similarly, in the life of Mother Teresa, we see the same boundless, self-sacrificing love. She chose to live in the heart of despair, among the poorest of the poor, giving her life to the service of those whom society had forgotten. She did not seek to please herself, nor did she crave the adoration of the world. Her love was an offering, a constant act of giving to those who had nothing, not seeking anything in return. She found Heaven in the midst of the darkest suffering, in the moments when she could bring peace, comfort, and dignity to those who had none. Her life was a testament to Blake’s vision—through love, she built Heaven where Hell’s despair once reigned, and through her actions, she transformed the lives of countless souls.

And so, O seekers of wisdom, let this truth guide your own path: love is not something to be pursued for its rewards, but something to be given freely, without expectation. The greatest love is the one that seeks not to fulfill its own desires but to serve others. It is in this selflessness that we find the true power of love, for it is through love that we heal, that we uplift, and that we transform the world around us. Love is the force that can turn the deepest despair into the brightest hope, and it is only by embracing this selfless love that we can bring about the Heaven we all seek, even in the midst of life’s most challenging trials.

In your own life, remember this: when you give yourself in love, you are not simply performing an act of kindness, you are participating in the divine. Love is the means by which we create beauty and meaning in a world often filled with suffering. Do not seek love for your own comfort or gain, but give it freely, knowing that in doing so, you will create something far more beautiful than anything the world can offer. Whether it is through small acts of kindness or grand gestures of sacrifice, let love be the force that guides your every action.

And so, I say to you, O children of the future, love with all the courage in your heart, without seeking to gain anything in return. Let love be the essence of your being, and in doing so, you will create a world filled with beauty, compassion, and light. Just as love builds a Heaven in the midst of Hell's despair, so too can it build a world where peace, joy, and hope flourish. Through selfless love, you will bring life to the barren, and Heaven to the darkest corners of the earth.