The Quiet Power of Longing

Introduction

There’s a line from the Sufi poet Kabir that goes something like this: “Longing for The One does all the work.” It stirs a deep awareness in me of how longing itself can guide us toward whatever we call God, the Universe, or our own best selves. At Shalom Mountain, there’s also this first Principle of Loving that says, “More than anything else, we want to love and be loved.” Both statements point to the same truth: We are driven by a deep desire to bridge our separateness and rediscover a sense of belonging.

The Ache to Love and Be Loved

Think about that aching feeling you get when you sense a gap in connection—whether it’s connection with another person or with something vast and sacred. This ache isn’t a problem to fix; it’s a doorway to the kind of wholeness we intuitively know is possible. Longing, in that sense, becomes an ally rather than a burden. Instead of running from it, I find that simply allowing it to speak teaches me about my most basic needs: to give love freely and to feel it flowing back.

Eros as the Flow of Life

Marc Gafni’s term for this life force is “Eros,” a term that suggests a passionate spark that animates all living things. Eros isn’t merely about sexuality—it’s the pulse of creativity, presence, and vitality. When we feel disconnected from that pulse, we might sense dryness or numbness in our bodies and hearts. That dryness can wake us up. It reminds us of the longing for life’s energy to flow through us again.

Healing Our Unique Rift

Each of us carries a unique rift—some tear in our sense of belonging to the cosmos or to the living world around us. This rift can feel like a lonely emptiness or a subtle fear. Yet, paradoxically, this very rift inspires us to seek healing and union. Whether you frame it in the language of God, cosmic unity, or simple human connection, the longing to mend that tear can become a powerful force in your life. In my experience, it draws me toward deeper empathy and kindness—both for others and for myself.

The Path Forward

Longing isn’t an enemy. It’s more like a signpost pointing toward greater intimacy with life itself. When we listen, longing tells us exactly where our hearts want to open, where we might let more love in or allow more love out. If we trust this inner compass, we can reclaim our connection to Eros and mend whatever rift we experience. That’s how longing “does all the work.” It motivates us to show up, to be real, and to keep our hearts soft even when it hurts.

Conclusion

For me, the core realization is that our deepest desire—to love and be loved—contains within it the seeds of healing, hope, and boundless creative energy. If we let longing guide us rather than shame us, it can do far more than we ever imagine. It can remind us of our innate bond with every living thing, affirm our worth in the cosmic dance, and lead us back to the fullness we’ve yearned for all along.