Love and Marriage in the Prophet

From the chapter “On Love” I chose the quotes: “Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed.”, “When you love you should not say, “God is in my heart,” but rather, “I am in the heart of God.” And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.”, and “Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.  … To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love.” I believe Gibran intends to explain love as something that it too great, too good, that it hurts to have too much of it. Even so, how love can guide you to happiness it may gear you to be condemned. Love is something so powerful that you shouldn’t try to control because it too can control you. The advice he gives us is to let it guide you and if all is meant to be, it shall be.

            From the chapter “On Marriage” I chose the quotes: “You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.”, “But let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.”, “Love one another but make not a bond of love.”, “Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping. For only the hand of life can contain your hearts.” These quotes are intended to make the reader feel more captivated. I felt like he was trying to tell me that I shouldn’t always feel so dependent on another but still let the love be alive. In other words, let love run free but still has some self control and dignity. When in love, one must know their limits. Yes, you can be happy with someone and love them deeply but should you have to give them your all, or just a part, just a gesture? I believe that having space in between is very good in a relationship. Personally, I only see my boyfriend once, during the weekend. So, at the beginning of each week, i’m always looking forward to the end of the week when we get to see each other again. It makes you want to see the other with such great emotion that you probably wouldn’t feel if you were to see them everyday or very often. As much as I can say that Love can live and prosper, it can also die and wear out.

            Gibran’s overall definition of “Love” is that if it can unfold happiness, it may also unfold sadness. You should let love be as it is and not try to control it because love cannot be possessed. Gibran’s overall definition of “Marriage” is that it should be shared but not given completely between two. There should be space yet enough affection. To always be together but not too close, distance makes one another realize their true feelings and emotions.

            I absolutely agree with Gibran’s definition of love. I believe that there are times when you can give the other your all as a true sign of love, but its not something you should do all the time. There is such a thing as too much love.

~ by Cristina Lopez on October 17, 2008.