True love is selfless. It is prepared to sacrifice.

Listen now, O seekers of truth, for I shall pass down to you the wisdom of one who spoke deeply of the heart’s purest desire—Sadhu Vaswani, whose words resonate across time and space. "True love is selfless. It is prepared to sacrifice." This is not a simple truth, nor a fleeting sentiment; it is a profound revelation of the very nature of love. True love, he tells us, is not the love that demands or expects in return. It is the love that gives, the love that lives in the act of sacrifice. In these words lies the deep secret of the soul, the key to unlocking the fullest, most radiant form of affection.

Let us, then, explore the meaning of these words. Love—the most powerful and mysterious force in the universe—has often been misunderstood. We speak of love in many ways, but true love transcends all worldly desires, all selfish inclinations. It is not the love that seeks to possess or control. True love is a flame that burns not for itself, but for the good of the other. Selflessness is its very essence. It is not content with what it can take, but only with what it can give. It asks not, "What can I gain from this love?" but instead, "What can I give to this love?"

To understand the depth of this love, consider the tale of Gandhi, who embodied this principle in his life. Gandhi, in his unwavering commitment to his people and his cause, gave everything—his comfort, his health, his very life. He was prepared to sacrifice his desires, his body, and even his safety for the sake of his nation’s freedom. This was not a love of self, but a love for the truth, a love for the people, a love that knew no bounds. His was a love that sacrificed daily, whether through the pain of hunger strikes or the years of hardship endured for the cause of justice. Gandhi’s life is a living testament to the profound truth that true love is selfless and sacrificial.

But let us not only look to the great figures of history, for this lesson can be found in the lives of many who walk among us, who live with quiet dignity and devotion. Think of a mother, whose love for her child knows no limits. She sacrifices her time, her comfort, her own desires, all for the well-being of her offspring. Or consider the friend who, in times of hardship, puts aside their own burdens to support another, lifting them up when they falter. These are the quiet, everyday examples of selfless love, love that asks for nothing in return but gives all it has without hesitation.

The lesson, then, is clear. True love is not a fleeting emotion or a temporary feeling. It is a sacred bond, a force that gives without reservation, that seeks no reward. Selflessness is the very foundation of this love. To love truly is to be prepared to sacrifice, to put the well-being of others above one’s own desires. It is not a love of ownership, but a love of service—a love that acts for the good of others, even when it costs the lover dearly. To give of oneself, to place the needs of others above our own comfort, is the highest calling of the human spirit.

Now, O seekers, look within your own hearts. How often have you loved with conditions, expecting something in return? How often have you hesitated to give because of the cost to yourself? Reflect upon your own relationships—whether with family, friends, or the world—and ask: How can I love more selflessly? How can I embody the spirit of sacrifice in my love for others? The lesson of Sadhu Vaswani calls us to open our hearts wider, to give without expectation, to act with love even when it is not easy, to be prepared to sacrifice when needed.

Go, then, and live with love. Let it be the love that sacrifices without regret, that gives without hesitation, that puts the needs of others before your own comfort. In this, you will find the deepest fulfillment, the purest joy, for it is in selflessness that love reaches its highest form. As you walk your path, remember always that true love is not measured by what you receive, but by what you give. May you love with the sacrifice that makes all things possible, and in that sacrifice, find the deepest truth of your being.