♥What is love?♥

Spirituality
#21

@Nila

Yes, I think so. The Wikipedia article describes compassionate love as centered on the good of the other, and makes the distinction between altruism, compassion, and romantic love, so yes I think it is similar to what I described earlier, although it does not mention the aspect of forgiveness.

I’m not sure that I get the distinction between compassion and love. I think that in the Christian tradition, love is something that has a sort of power to it, where compassion maybe is more of an attitude of an individual towards others.

#22

Well… there are different meditations on compassion, forgiveness, altruism, and they are very clear to me. But compassion and forgiveness is not LOVE (LOVING KINDNESS)…but i think might be the way, the kind of an exercise to loving kindness…

#23

[QUOTE=AmirMourad;66745]“Love”, like all words, will mean whatsoever one wants it to mean.

I would not focus too much on what “Love” is. .[/QUOTE]

that is the problem…

and it seems that you have not even looked at the original post…

#24

Do you think that it’s possible to have love without forgiveness?

#25

I think the aspect of WILL is important in this discussion and it wasn’t mentioned yet. At least this is my perception of the issue. Love (in meaning Agape) is for me “a decision and striving towards good of self or another person”. Living in Agape would be a constant exercise of this decision. Positive feelings and sensation of peace and compassion are just by-product. I found some support of this view in concept of neuroplasticity (interesting article is here: http://www.learninginfo.org/neuroplasticity.htm). In short, brain alters its function and structure according to needs. When we are struggling with something our brain gets active and tries to rewire itself to aid us with this task. So as I understand, if we strive to love, it will change its structure and function with time to make it more natural and easy for us. I also found interesting study on monks and compassion meditation (http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma8/monksmed.html).

So, my view would be that love is more related with act of will, and feeling of love and compassion would depend on state of the brain. Some people may feel great helping others (experiencing all-encompassing love while helping one person) and others may just perform action without any stronger reactions. In both ways the love is present and just reaction is different.

Ps. Regarding compassion meditation I tried few types, but the strongest I found was a visualization of sort of hugging inside the heart people who are repulsive, “evil”, to whom we have resentment etc.

#26

If the other person (whoever that may be) was the last person you were going to see before you die, or if you were the last person the other person was going to see before they die - in that case how would you answer the question? My intuition tells me that love itself would be present within both you and the other person (again, whoever that may be), so the answer would happen intrinsically without even thinking about it (ie, a presence of love, period). What do you think?

#27

@Pawel

Some people are into loving kindness and others are into brutality, death, and destruction, so yes I think there is definitely a choice and an act of will involved. That’s a good point and a nice job of research. Also I believe in the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali talks about yoga bringing about a transformation. It sounds like the science of neuroplasticity validates that.

I’ve never been a big fan of this kind of exercise, but I’m beginning to see it’s value and application.

#28

@guitar_yogi

What if that last person you’re seeing is pointing a gun at you?

#29

[QUOTE=Asuri;66867]@guitar_yogi

What if that last person you’re seeing is pointing a gun at you?[/QUOTE]

One of my yoga teachers likes to say that pain may be involuntary, but suffering is optional. If someone was pointing a gun at me I hope I would be able to relax and be at peace so as not to suffer on top of the pain being inflicted. If so, I may even experience love being directed toward myself. As for the other person, I can’t answer your question what I would experience, as that is far too extreme and difficult of a hypothetical situation that you pose. Do help me to understand why you are asking me, and what your thoughts are on this.

#30

Well, to recap, Pawel made an excellent point about the role of the will in this idea of love, which I agreed with, and you apparently disagreed. By asking the question, I was hoping that you would come to realize the flaw in your reasoning.

#31

[QUOTE=Asuri;66927]Well, to recap, Pawel made an excellent point about the role of the will in this idea of love, which I agreed with, and you apparently disagreed. By asking the question, I was hoping that you would come to realize the flaw in your reasoning.[/QUOTE]

I liked Pawel’s perspective too, and was not disagreeing with him, but rather posing an existential question to help the original poster consider another aspect. That is interesting you felt I disagreed, as well as that you perceive a flaw in my reasoning; maybe you can share what the flaw is.

#32

[QUOTE=Asuri;66927]Well, to recap, Pawel made an excellent point about the role of the will in this idea of love, which I agreed with, and you apparently disagreed. By asking the question, I was hoping that you would come to realize the flaw in your reasoning.[/QUOTE]

Why is there fault finding and picking arguments in a thread about love anyway?

#33

“Love is forgetting the time.” :slight_smile:

Classical Astanga-Yoga in Munich
Hatha-Yoga courses

#34

[QUOTE=Asuri;66847]Do you think that it’s possible to have love without forgiveness?[/QUOTE]

no, i dont think so…

#35

[QUOTE=Asuri;66867]@guitar_yogi

What if that last person you’re seeing is pointing a gun at you?[/QUOTE]

i believe that ahimsa recognizes and allows a defense against armed person …
and not very likely that someone would point the gun at the person who trully loves the offender;)

#36

Yes, and even less likely that the person about to be shot would feel love for the person pointing the gun.

#37

I think maybe the lesson here is that love is not unconditional, even divine love. Many religions have rituals and prayers and sacrifices that are intended to please the gods so that they look favorably on those who participate in such things. And there is always the possibility of the wrath of the gods on those that displease them. If somebody treats you badly or is just a bad person, you’re not going to love them, unless you can forgive. Some people deserve to be forgiven and some don’t.

#38

If you love someone, because s/he is beautiful, this is desire.
If you love someone, because s/he is intelligent, this is admiration.
If you love someone for the money, this is interest.
If you don’t know why you love someone, this is love.

#39

yogam…good one!

seems like to arrive to LOVE one have to master compassion, forgiveness, non-judgment, and something else…but still all of these moght not bring love into ones spiritual practice

#40

You are right CityMonk. I also think devotion is essential for the spiritual practice. For example Yogananda writes:

November 13 - Devotion

The Searcher of Hearts wants only your sincere love. He is like a little child: someone may offer Him his whole wealth and He doesn’t want it; and another cries to Him, “O Lord, I love You!” and into that devotee’s heart He comes running. Don’t seek God with any ulterior motive, but pray to Him with devotion - unconditional, one-pointed, steady devotion. When your love for Him is as great as your attachment to your mortal body, He will come to you. --Paramahansa Yogananda, “Man’s Eternal Quest”