Perfect/Perfection

PERFECT/PERFECTION:

bell hooks talks about how the idea of “perfect love” was disturbing, feeling that to be perfect was unattainable, not human until she came across a definition that highlighted “Perfect” as in “to refine” — in this light “perfection” becomes a process for refinement. And perfect love is a process that changes …and casts out fear as it goes. In her words “As we love, fear necessarily leaves. Contrary to the notion that one must work to attain perfection, this outcome does not have to be struggled for — it just happens. It is the gift that perfect love offers. To receive the gift, we must first understand that “there is no fear in love.” But we do fear and fear keeps us from trusting in love.”

– bell hooks, p.93 – All About Love