--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An excellent way to practice love is to…" description: "\"An excellent way to practice love is to set your attention on seeing beyond someone's behavior or personality. Try to realize that beneath the surface ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/nate-946_beneath-the-surface_an-excellent-way-to-practice-love-is-to_1408118.jpg" --- # An excellent way to practice love is to set your attention… ![“An excellent way to practice love is to set your attention on seeing beyond someone's behavior or personality. Try to realize that beneath the surface insecurity, negative thinking, and poor behavior, everyone is connected to God. Just as you wouldn't get angry at someone simply because he or she…” quote by Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/nate-946_beneath-the-surface_an-excellent-way-to-practice-love-is-to_1408118.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/nate-946_beneath-the-surface_an-excellent-way-to-practice-love-is-to_1408118.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/nate-946_beneath-the-surface_an-excellent-way-to-practice-love-is-to_1408118.jpg) > “An excellent way to practice love is to set your attention on seeing beyond someone's behavior or personality. Try to realize that beneath the surface insecurity, negative thinking, and poor behavior, everyone is connected to God. Just as you wouldn't get angry at someone simply because he or she is in a wheelchair, you need not be angry because a person hasn't yet opened his heart to the nourishment of his Soul. When people act in unloving ways, it only means that they are out of touch with their Souls and aren't feeling spiritually nourished. When that happens, there is no need to panic. The best we can do for ourselves is nourish our own Soul by looking beyond the behavior we don't care for, thus practicing the art of love.” [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Love is practiced by seeing the divine in everyone beyond their flaws and actions. **In simple terms:** See beyond behavior to the soul within. Key Takeaway Look past actions, nurture your own soul. Themes compassion spirituality empathy Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal relationships - conflict resolution - spiritual practice - self‑care Key Concepts divine connection inner peace non‑judgment Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance compassion with self‑protection? - What practices help you see the divine in others? A Different Perspective If you focus on the soul, you may overlook harmful behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Act Unloving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/act-unloving-4954350/) [Beneath the surface](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beneath-the-surface/) [Care Practicing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care-practicing-4954351/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Mine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mine/) [Negative thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative-thinking/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Practice Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice-love/) [Unloving Ways](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unloving-ways-571946/) ## Related quotes > [“The children who need love the most will always ask for it in the most unloving ways”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-barkley/the-children-who-need-love-the-most-will-always-ask-for-it-in-the/) [Russel Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-barkley/) > [The kids who need the most love will ask for it in the most unloving ways](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-barkley/the-kids-who-need-the-most-love-will-ask-for-it-in-the-most-unloving/) [Russell Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-barkley/) > [When you give to your mate, you give to your children. There is no better way to teach love than to practice love. Kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-j-p-godek/when-you-give-to-your-mate-you-give-to-your-children-there-is-no/) [Gregory J. P. Godek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-j-p-godek/) > [Consistently practice love and everything that falls under the category of love: gratitude, laughter, friendship, joy, forgiveness, acceptance, peace, and trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-marino/consistently-practice-love-and-everything-that-falls-under-the/) [Renee Marino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-marino/) > [Love is the capacity to take care, to protect, to nourish. If you are not capable of generatng that kind of energy toward yourself-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/love-is-the-capacity-to-take-care-to-protect-to-nourish-if-you-are/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [If you do not know how to take care of yourself, and the violence in you, then you will not be able to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-do-not-know-how-to-take-care-of-yourself-and-the-violence-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The practice of love offers no place of safety. We risk loss, hurt, pain. We risk being acted upon by forces outside our control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-practice-of-love-offers-no-place-of-safety-we-risk-loss-hurt-pain/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“All love may begin by being passionate, especially for younger people. But in the process of living together, they have to learn and practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/all-love-may-begin-by-being-passionate-especially-for-younger-people/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [The practice of love can be expressed in one sentence: 'Do not harm others.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-practice-of-love-can-be-expressed-in-one-sentence-do-not-harm/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The aim of all spiritual practice is love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sathya-sai-baba/the-aim-of-all-spiritual-practice-is-love/) [Sathya Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sathya-sai-baba/) > [“...it is the most militant, most radical intervention anyone can make to not only speak of love, but to engage in the practice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/it-is-the-most-militant-most-radical-intervention-anyone-can-make-to/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [If we practice love from moment to moment, from day to day and year to year, love becomes our life. With practice, love becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/if-we-practice-love-from-moment-to-moment-from-day-to-day-and-year-to/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [You don't need to justify your love, you don't need to explain your love, you just need to practice your love. Practice creates the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-don-t-need-to-justify-your-love-you-don-t-need-to-explain-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You do not really love me — you love nobody. Is that not true?" "Maybe," said Siddhartha wearily. "I am like you. You cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/you-do-not-really-love-me-you-love-nobody-is-that-not-true-maybe-said/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Those who practice Love have neither Religion or Status.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/those-who-practice-love-have-neither-religion-or-status/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) ## More by Nate > [Forgiveness is not saying, What you did to me is okay. It is saying, Im not going to let what you did to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/forgiveness-is-not-saying-what-you-did-to-me-is-okay-it-is-saying-im/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [But just remember, the next time you see a person, do not judge whats on the outside, we could be having a bad day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/but-just-remember-the-next-time-you-see-a-person-do-not-judge-whats/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Is the glass half empty or half full? Life and relationships work better when the glass is half full. Below are some simple yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/is-the-glass-half-empty-or-half-full-life-and-relationships-work/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [If you can forgive yourself as well as others and learn from your mistakes, problems and heartaches will be stepping stones on your path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/if-you-can-forgive-yourself-as-well-as-others-and-learn-from-your/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [The thing that counts most in the pursuit of happiness is choosing the right companion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/the-thing-that-counts-most-in-the-pursuit-of-happiness-is-choosing/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [. Be grateful Create a sense of gratitude for what you have, for what is working, for what is wonderful and sweet in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/be-grateful-create-a-sense-of-gratitude-for-what-you-have-for-what-is/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [A girl can be your best friend, worst enemy, a real sweetheart or a total witch. It all depends on how you treat her](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/a-girl-can-be-your-best-friend-worst-enemy-a-real-sweetheart-or-a-2/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [No matter what, once in your life, someone will hurt you. That someone will take all that you are, and rip it into pieces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/no-matter-what-once-in-your-life-someone-will-hurt-you-that-someone/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Look for positive people and situations. Call a friend who sees the good in others. Spend time with a colleague who affirms the bright…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/look-for-positive-people-and-situations-call-a-friend-who-sees-the/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Dont rush things. anything worth having is worth waiting for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/dont-rush-things-anything-worth-having-is-worth-waiting-for/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [People know your name,not your story . Theyve heard what youve done, but not what youve been through. So take their opinions of you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/people-know-your-name-not-your-story-theyve-heard-what-youve-done-but/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [I wish what made us grow apart didnt happen, I miss what we had all the laughs and good times, I wish I never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/i-wish-what-made-us-grow-apart-didnt-happen-i-miss-what-we-had-all/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Seeing people change isnt what hurts.What hurts is remembering how they used to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/seeing-people-change-isnt-what-hurts-what-hurts-is-remembering-how/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Do not tell me you are too old. Age is all imagination. Ignore years and they will ignore you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/do-not-tell-me-you-are-too-old-age-is-all-imagination-ignore-years/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Top 10 Things to do at the Mall 10. At the bottom of an escalator, scream MY SHOELACES! AAAGH! 9. At the stylist, ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/top-10-things-to-do-at-the-mall-10-at-the-bottom-of-an-escalator/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) [Explore all 323 Nate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) ## More Beneath the surface quotes > [“So you intend to go through life never loving anyone? Just … things?” “No. I’m looking for something more.” “More than love?” “Yes.” “Is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-ahdieh/so-you-intend-to-go-through-life-never-loving-anyone-just-things-no-i/) [Renee Ahdieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-ahdieh/) > [We are true to our name. We're somewhat beneath the surface, and I think well always be to a certain extent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-thought/we-are-true-to-our-name-we-re-somewhat-beneath-the-surface-and-i/) [Black Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-thought/) > [Stir not murky waters if you know not the depth or the creatures that dwell beneath the surface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-davis/stir-not-murky-waters-if-you-know-not-the-depth-or-the-creatures-that/) [Bryan Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-davis/) > [“The burning glow of fire basked him in a warm light. I feared to look at him, to study him again after the train,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-z-ryans/the-burning-glow-of-fire-basked-him-in-a-warm-light-i-feared-to-look/) [Rae Z. Ryans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-z-ryans/) > [Whether it is photography, assemblage art or filmmaking, my work is to see beneath the surface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christophe-agou/whether-it-is-photography-assemblage-art-or-filmmaking-my-work-is-to/) [Christophe Agou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christophe-agou/) > [I'm of that generation of Jews still deeply influenced by the Holocaust. Certainly the notion that the state power to kill can be subject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-turow/i-m-of-that-generation-of-jews-still-deeply-influenced-by-the/) [Scott Turow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-turow/) > [I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-prefer-neurotic-people-i-like-to-hear-rumblings-beneath-the-surface/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [“Yes, the hermitage is underground--miles beneath the surface of Antarctica. And yes, Ike refers to it as unten--literally 'under' or 'below.' But, hello, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leyner/yes-the-hermitage-is-underground-miles-beneath-the-surface-of/) [Mark Leyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leyner/) > [All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/all-art-is-at-once-surface-and-symbol-those-who-go-beneath-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Her father...was all front to back in his transparency: what you saw was what there was, there was nothing clandestine in his character, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-wiggins/her-father-was-all-front-to-back-in-his-transparency-what-you-saw-was/) [Marianne Wiggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-wiggins/) > [The past lies beneath the surface, intransigent truth. Remembered or not, what we say and do remains, always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-hall/the-past-lies-beneath-the-surface-intransigent-truth-remembered-or/) [Meredith Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-hall/) > [“From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to the Earth. But man has only to sink beneath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaques-barzun-cousteau/from-birth-man-carries-the-weight-of-gravity-on-his-shoulders-he-is/) [Jaques Barzun Cousteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaques-barzun-cousteau/) > [Be willing to face life squarely and get down beneath the surface of life where the verities and realities are to be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/be-willing-to-face-life-squarely-and-get-down-beneath-the-surface-of/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [It's like, imagine the ripples on top of an ocean. And I'm in a rowboat, reactively dealing with the waves and water coming into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-oz/it-s-like-imagine-the-ripples-on-top-of-an-ocean-and-i-m-in-a-rowboat/) [Mehmet Oz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-oz/) > [“But not all its avenues were paved with marble nor all its denizens dwellers in palaces. Men and women of a dozen races huddled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-duncan/but-not-all-its-avenues-were-paved-with-marble-nor-all-its-denizens/) [Dave Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-duncan/) [Browse all 295 Beneath the surface quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beneath-the-surface/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "An excellent way to practice love is to set your attention on seeing beyond someone's behavior or personality. Try to realize that beneath the surface insecurity, negative thinking, and poor behavior, everyone is connected to God. Just as you wouldn't get angry at someone simply because he or she is in a wheelchair, you need not be angry because a person hasn't yet opened his heart to the nourishment of his Soul. When people act in unloving ways, it only means that they are out of touch with their Souls and aren't feeling spiritually nourished. 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