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By Guest Author, Reverend Ed Bacon.
Somewhat to my surprise, I have written a book. It is called 8 Habits of Love. In it I explore my own journey toward seeing life through the prism of love rather than fear. I tell stories of friends, family and parishioners who have had their own struggles and triumphs embracing a loving perspective on this complex and sometimes confounding world. Drawing on the words of philosophers, spiritual thinkers and activists, I seek to show that we have the power to choose love over fear.
8 Habits of Love is about recognizing and celebrating that we are all, every single one of us, beloved human beings. It is this recognition and the practice of the habits that can lead us all to work together to change the world for the better. And in the process, our own lives become more meaningful, connected and fulfilling.
In some ways, each Habit of Love is stunningly simple. None requires deep academic knowledge or religious commitment, but each asks that we look within ourselves so we may open our hearts by identifying and accessing our loved and loving selves.
It all started in 2008 when Oprah Winfrey wanted to interview a person “of the cloth.” She had hosted Eckhart Tolle for a teaching series from his book A New Earth on her radio show. A number of people had challenged her that the material was too New Age and somehow un-Christian. I accepted her invitation to talk this through with her in Chicago on “Oprah’s Soul Series.”
Later that year, I participated on panel called “ Your Spirituality” on her national television program, along with Michael Bernard Beckwith and Elizabeth Lesser. I was the only one of the three who hadn’t written a book, Ms. Winfrey pointed out. Less than a year later, I had a book contract.
The idea for the book came from decades of thinking about the nature of love. Long interested in the dynamics of love and fear, I have often noted that the most frequent injunction in scripture is, “Do not fear” and that Jesus said, “Perfect love casts out fear.” My sermons at All Saints in Pasadena on living in the House of Love versus the House of Fear have generated the most response over the course of my many years of preaching.
I know the impact of love and fear on one’s brain, body, relationships, and systems. I know that all of us have our fears but when we become our fears life becomes distorted. We cannot become our authentic selves. So I’ve written a book about eight habits we can practice to keep fear from taking over the driver’s seat.
Exploring the eight habits of love takes us on an adventure of self-discovery, creativity and healing. By celebrating—and sharing—the love that already lives inside us, we can free ourselves from the fear, anger and sadness that cause so much suffering. I have seen first hand that when we open our hearts to love’s abundance we are able to transform our lives and make the world a more just and peaceful place.
In my book, I explore the habits of generosity, stillness, truth, candor, play, forgiveness, compassion, and community. When put into practice in our daily lives, these simple habits help us make the choice, day after day, to reject fear’s hold and embrace, instead, the immense power and grace within us.
Being open-hearted is the most fulfilling way to live, but it is not always the easiest way. At every turn, you will bump up against your fears. But love teaches us that we can—in fact, for our own sake and that of the world, we must—trust that love is stronger than fear.”
Now 8 Habits of Love is on the shelves. I have lived the habits, in particular Generosity, Candor and Play, with all the people who have helped this project along its way. Floods of messages are reaching me from the far corners of the earth, from people I admire like Desmond Tutu and James Carroll and from total strangers, and I am reminded again of the beauty of the habit of Community.
I am reminded that the human spirit, just like the seas, needs both inflow and outflow in order to foster life and create energy. That when love flows out from within us, more flows in. And so I call upon you to open your hearts and open your minds, and allow love to be your guiding force.
For more information visit www.8habitsoflove.com.
