Loving the distance between us

This quote found at Perceval Press —

“Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky.” -Rainer Maria Rilke

— seems to blend perfectly with the current topic at Michael Prescott’s Blog, even though I wouldn’t ordinarily combine references to the two sites — and even that helps illustrate my point. Michael’s post titled, Art, this one’s for you!, explores the notion that we’re here to experience separation, and is the third or fourth place that I’ve seen Michael Talbot’s and Jane Robert’s writings mentioned in the past couple of weeks, which has led me to finally add them to my future reading list.

My question is, could it be that we’re here to learn how to love while in a separated state? The entire topic can bend one’s preconceived notions of reality. Beyond science and beyond the physical, what are we really? Is there something even beyond spirit? Why are we here?

Is unconditional love only love of the whole and an ability to find empathy in our hearts for one another? Or is it also the ability to love and appreciate one another in spite of our separateness — perhaps even because of it?

This isn’t a new concept. Perhaps I’m just seeing it differently today, from the perspective of all the divisions, conflicts, and pressures humanity is experiencing. If we can learn to love each other now, then we’re incredibly, miraculously, and perhaps infinitely capable of love.

P.S. Art, the commenter to whom Michael’s post is dedicated, added this URL to the discussion, which presents an intriguing story:

Riding the Dragon: An Unexpected Encounter