Love manifests...

Love manifests towards those whom we like as love; towards those whom we do not
like as forgiveness.

Bowl of Saki, February 8, by Hazrat Inayat Khan




Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

In the East, when we speak of saints or sages, it is not because of their
miracles, it is because of their presence and their countenance which radiate
vibrations of love. How does this love express itself? In tolerance, in
forgiveness, in respect, in overlooking the faults of others. Their sympathy
covers the defects of others as if they were their own; they forget their own
interest in the interest of others. They do not mind what conditions they are
in; be they high or humble, their foreheads are smiling. To their eyes everyone
is the expression of the Beloved, whose name they repeat. They see the divine in
all forms and in all beings.

Think of the life of the great Master Jesus... one sees that from beginning to
end there was nothing but love and forgiveness. The best expression of love is
that love which is expressed in forgiveness. Those who came with their wrongs,
errors, imperfections, before the love, that was all forgiven; there was always
a stream of love which always purified.

We may make an ideal in our imagination, and, whenever we see that goodness is
lacking, we may add to it from our own heart and so complete the nobility of
human nature. This is done by patience, tolerance, kindness, forgiveness. The
lover of goodness loves every little sign of goodness. He overlooks the faults
and fills up the gaps by pouring out love and supplying that which is lacking.
This is real nobility of soul. Religion, prayer, and worship, are all intended
to ennoble the soul, not to make it narrow, sectarian or bigoted. One cannot
arrive at true nobility of spirit if one is not prepared to forgive the
imperfections of human nature. For all men, whether worthy or unworthy, require
forgiveness, and only in this way can one rise above the lack of harmony and
beauty.