The Transition to True Love – Three Stages Stage 1: Recognition of Ego and Self-Love I become aware of my innate tendency to prioritize myself over others. My thoughts naturally seek what is best for me, often at the expense of others. This self-centeredness, or ego, drives a fundamental separation from others. I observe that I want to dominate, use, or disregard others for personal benefit. At this stage, love is impossible—what I perceive as "love" is actually attachment, desire, or dependence. "I see how I think of myself first and others last. I recognize the ego in action." Stage 2: Hatred of the Ego and the Desire to Separate from It I begin to see the ego as the true barrier to connection, unity, and love. My ego, once a trusted guide, is now revealed as the source of suffering and separation. I develop a genuine dislike for my ego—not for myself, but for the force that isolates me from others. I feel inner conflict: I still live with the ego, but I no longer want it to control me. This is a painful but critical stage. It’s where transformation begins. "I cannot love until I reject the force that keeps me apart from others—my ego." Stage 3: Love Above the Ego I no longer act according to egoism, even if it still whispers within me. I consciously choose to rise above it, giving to others despite inner resistance. True love emerges—not from the ego, but above it. This love is unconditional, selfless, and connective—it seeks the well-being of the other as if they were me. Paradoxically, only by confronting the darkness of ego do I discover the light of love. "Now I can love—not by nature, but by choice. I act above my ego, and there, love is born." Summary Insight True love cannot exist within egoism. It is born only after we first recognize the ego (Stage 1), then reject its dominion (Stage 2), and finally act contrary to it (Stage 3). Anything that precedes this process is illusion, not love. @followers @topfans #kabbalah