Humans have much longer childhoods than animals, so they need the companionship of adults throughout their lives. Love is important to humans for several reasons, including the evolutionary and biological aspects of the process. Neurophysiological studies of romantic love have shown that people’s brains respond to passionate affection by activating reward regions. These brain regions are also activated in drug-taking behaviors. But, what does love really mean? It’s more complex than meets the eye.
According to F.H. Bradley, Britain’s greatest philosopher, love is the experience of the Absolute, the awareness of the Self, and the desire to become one with the object of love. Other experiences are mere ‘appearances’. Whether we love our beloved or not is a matter of personal preference. Despite all these differences, love remains fundamentally human. It is the foundation of our relationship with our loved ones. In fact, we are all capable of loving someone in a deeper and more meaningful way.
Love is the experience of happiness at the mind-body level, when we are one with the Universe. We feel happy, care-free, and unselfconscious. Love is a universal phenomenon, not something we can chase or look for. The only way to truly experience love is to experience it. Love is the ultimate goal in life, and the goal of our existence. The process of loving and being loved is the most fulfilling experience of life. The joy of sharing life with others is a powerful experience for every human being. Love is the highest form of expression.
After a romantic relationship, people in love may seek to move in with their partner, start a family, or lift each other in their career. They may even seek help from a therapist if their feelings do not come back. But being in love does not mean that life is easy. There are ups and downs in all relationships. However, if you are open to help from a therapist, you can save your relationship.
Jesus teaches His followers to have agape, which is the same word as “agape.” A good example is how God loves His adopted children. God’s people repeatedly fell into idolatry, but God preserved a remnant of His people. This agape love, which God is based on, is the kind of love we should have for God. This is what Jesus calls “love.”
Historically, Greek philosophers tried to characterize love. They categorised different types of love as ‘agape’ (a selfless or altruistic emotion), ludus (playful affection), and pragma, a commitment formed over time. Agape, the classical version of romantic love, was the most important type of love. Throughout history, humans have had many types of love – from friendship and romantic relationships to religious devotion.
But what happens when love ends in tragedy? It is a much stronger emotion than friendship, and when you are in love, you may overlook others’ warnings and try to win back your ex. Then, you’ll find yourself in the middle of a train wreck and will have a hard time getting over your past mistakes. This is why it’s important to be realistic about your feelings about love and avoiding toxic relationships. Once you’re able to define what love is and how it works for you, it will be easier to understand the pitfalls of love and what they mean.