51-55, F
CrytalLove · 31-35, F
Texaspilot · 51-55, M
I have spent a whole lot of time thinking about this one. I have come to believe this as my definition of love. I think love starts with the concept of enlightenment- defined as the development of one's full potential.
A fully enlightened person is completely comfortable with who they are. An enlightened person is fully at home with herself, with who he/she is as a person, and can thus enjoy life to the fullest, inner and outer, and can love and be loved with an open, receptive heart. In the state of enlightenment, a person is able to be more loving because she is not bogged down by stresses that may restrict the flow of love from the heart.
I think each one of possesses an immense ocean of love deep inside....behind all of the walls, fears, prejudices etc. Each one of us was born as a blank slate. Life, our parents, and our experiences wrote on our blank canvasses. We were each born with us purity. Not to be confused with prudishness...... just sayin'.
I think there are different levels of love based on where a person is on their trajectory of maturity, life experience and enlightenment.
Level 1- Self love- The lowest form of enlightenment as well as the weakest form of love. In this level, we are consumed by ourselves, with a very inward focus. This could also be called intrinsic love. In this love relationships crumble after the newness and excitement of a relationship wear off. The person has not ever taken time to learn about, or understand the perspective of their partner.
Level 2- Extrinsic love- We begin to shift our focus onto others and for the first time learn what it is to sacrifice, to yield, be more giving. The person in this state of love begins to understand the perspective of their partner. They at times will sacrifice or yield in an unselfish way. In this level they have not however learned to love themselves. The baggage from the past haunts them and fear causes them to be cruel and cold at times. Even when they feel bad for being this way, this person does not yet possess the tools to experience unconditional or universal love.
Level 3- Peaceful love- This person is very capable of yielding and considering deeply the perspective of their partner. They truly care about their partner's feelings, successes and victories and often are a cheerleader and advocate for their partner. This is the type love that I think you find long healthy relationships. In this level the big challenge is that the outside influences of the world such as material things, career, other peoples opinions, etc. still influence this person. While they are often altruistic, they are still judgmental of people unlike them....People that are homeless, or gay, or different than them. This negative energy is their big restriction and it holds back the person from being fully enlightened.
Level 4- Enlightened- This person is fully and thoroughly comfortable with who they are. The feel a connectededness to others on a very deep level and their empathy and compassion are infectious and inspiring to others. They love all people and living things and perhaps the universe itself. 1000 years ago a Japanese woman looked up at the moon and wrote these words....
Watching the moon
at dawn,
solitary, mid-sky,
I knew myself completely:
no part left out.
—Izumi Shikibu
Clearly this person was on the path to enlightenment. When we can love others as much as we love ourselves.... Loving them where they are in life and not where we or society tells them to be..... We are enlightened. Such a loving heart so greatly transcends ordinary infatuation love..... that I cannot think of adequate words to illuminate the vast void that separates the two. The partner to this person will have to have the same deep philosophical and introspective motivations for becoming a better soul. An enlightened person shares their sojurn through life with their partner with great enthusiasm and appreciation. It is this connection that makes the pairing of these two people deep and forever.
So.....Thats my theory... I think at times I get a peek at level four.... at other times I find myself back at level 1. I will continue to try to attain level 4... perhaps one day I can stick around for a while. I think I will post this.... ;)
Patrick
A fully enlightened person is completely comfortable with who they are. An enlightened person is fully at home with herself, with who he/she is as a person, and can thus enjoy life to the fullest, inner and outer, and can love and be loved with an open, receptive heart. In the state of enlightenment, a person is able to be more loving because she is not bogged down by stresses that may restrict the flow of love from the heart.
I think each one of possesses an immense ocean of love deep inside....behind all of the walls, fears, prejudices etc. Each one of us was born as a blank slate. Life, our parents, and our experiences wrote on our blank canvasses. We were each born with us purity. Not to be confused with prudishness...... just sayin'.
I think there are different levels of love based on where a person is on their trajectory of maturity, life experience and enlightenment.
Level 1- Self love- The lowest form of enlightenment as well as the weakest form of love. In this level, we are consumed by ourselves, with a very inward focus. This could also be called intrinsic love. In this love relationships crumble after the newness and excitement of a relationship wear off. The person has not ever taken time to learn about, or understand the perspective of their partner.
Level 2- Extrinsic love- We begin to shift our focus onto others and for the first time learn what it is to sacrifice, to yield, be more giving. The person in this state of love begins to understand the perspective of their partner. They at times will sacrifice or yield in an unselfish way. In this level they have not however learned to love themselves. The baggage from the past haunts them and fear causes them to be cruel and cold at times. Even when they feel bad for being this way, this person does not yet possess the tools to experience unconditional or universal love.
Level 3- Peaceful love- This person is very capable of yielding and considering deeply the perspective of their partner. They truly care about their partner's feelings, successes and victories and often are a cheerleader and advocate for their partner. This is the type love that I think you find long healthy relationships. In this level the big challenge is that the outside influences of the world such as material things, career, other peoples opinions, etc. still influence this person. While they are often altruistic, they are still judgmental of people unlike them....People that are homeless, or gay, or different than them. This negative energy is their big restriction and it holds back the person from being fully enlightened.
Level 4- Enlightened- This person is fully and thoroughly comfortable with who they are. The feel a connectededness to others on a very deep level and their empathy and compassion are infectious and inspiring to others. They love all people and living things and perhaps the universe itself. 1000 years ago a Japanese woman looked up at the moon and wrote these words....
Watching the moon
at dawn,
solitary, mid-sky,
I knew myself completely:
no part left out.
—Izumi Shikibu
Clearly this person was on the path to enlightenment. When we can love others as much as we love ourselves.... Loving them where they are in life and not where we or society tells them to be..... We are enlightened. Such a loving heart so greatly transcends ordinary infatuation love..... that I cannot think of adequate words to illuminate the vast void that separates the two. The partner to this person will have to have the same deep philosophical and introspective motivations for becoming a better soul. An enlightened person shares their sojurn through life with their partner with great enthusiasm and appreciation. It is this connection that makes the pairing of these two people deep and forever.
So.....Thats my theory... I think at times I get a peek at level four.... at other times I find myself back at level 1. I will continue to try to attain level 4... perhaps one day I can stick around for a while. I think I will post this.... ;)
Patrick
Danish · 31-35, M
As we struggle to define love, the ancient Greeks seemed to have no problem at all defining multiple kinds of love.
I think we all go through each stage at one point, but if you want a better definition of the kind of love you give or the kind of love you seek, here are the seven kinds of love according to the ancient Greeks.
1. Eros: Love of the body
Eros was the Greek God of love and sexual desire. He was shooting golden arrows into the hearts of both mortals and immortals without warning. The Greeks feared that kind of love the most because it was dangerous and could get them into the most trouble. Eros is defined as divine beauty or lust. Eros is mainly based on sexual attraction and it is where the term “erotica” came from.
2. Philia: Love of the mind
Also know as brotherly love, Philia represents the sincere and platonic love. The kind of love you have for your brother or a really good friend. It was more valuable and more cherished than Eros. Philia exists when people share the same values and dispositions with someone and the feelings are reciprocated.
3. Ludus: Playful love
Ludus is the flirtatious and teasing kind of love, the love mostly accompanied by dancing or laughter. It’s the child-like and fun kind of love. If you think about it; this generation loves Ludus more than anything else.
4. Pragma: Longstanding love
The everlasting love between a married couple which develops over a long period of time. Pragma was the highest form of love; the true commitment that comes from understanding, compromise and tolerance. It is pragmatic this is why it is referred to as “standing in love” rather than “falling in love” because it grows over time and requires profound understanding between lovers who have been together for many years.
5. Agape: Love of the soul
It is the selfless kind of love, the love for humanity. It is the closest to unconditional love. The love you give without expecting anything in return reflected in all charitable acts. It is the compassionate love that makes us sympathize with, help and connect to people we don’t know. The world needs more Agape.
6. Philautia: Love of the self
The ancient Greeks divided Philautia into two kinds: There is one that is pure selfish and seeks pleasure, fame, and wealth often leading to narcissism and there is another healthy kind of love we give ourselves. Philautia is essential for any relationship, we can only love others if we truly love ourselves and we can only care for others if we truly care for ourselves.
7. Storge: Love of the child
This is the love parents naturally feel for their children. It’s based on natural feelings and effortless love. Storge is the love that knows forgiveness, acceptance and sacrifice. It is the one that makes you feel secure, comfortable and safe.
Defining love can help us discover which kind we need to give more of and which kind we want to receive. If we incorporate Eros, Ludus & Pragma into our relationships and Agape, Philia and Storge into our lives, we will reach Philautia and live a happier life. TC mark
I think we all go through each stage at one point, but if you want a better definition of the kind of love you give or the kind of love you seek, here are the seven kinds of love according to the ancient Greeks.
1. Eros: Love of the body
Eros was the Greek God of love and sexual desire. He was shooting golden arrows into the hearts of both mortals and immortals without warning. The Greeks feared that kind of love the most because it was dangerous and could get them into the most trouble. Eros is defined as divine beauty or lust. Eros is mainly based on sexual attraction and it is where the term “erotica” came from.
2. Philia: Love of the mind
Also know as brotherly love, Philia represents the sincere and platonic love. The kind of love you have for your brother or a really good friend. It was more valuable and more cherished than Eros. Philia exists when people share the same values and dispositions with someone and the feelings are reciprocated.
3. Ludus: Playful love
Ludus is the flirtatious and teasing kind of love, the love mostly accompanied by dancing or laughter. It’s the child-like and fun kind of love. If you think about it; this generation loves Ludus more than anything else.
4. Pragma: Longstanding love
The everlasting love between a married couple which develops over a long period of time. Pragma was the highest form of love; the true commitment that comes from understanding, compromise and tolerance. It is pragmatic this is why it is referred to as “standing in love” rather than “falling in love” because it grows over time and requires profound understanding between lovers who have been together for many years.
5. Agape: Love of the soul
It is the selfless kind of love, the love for humanity. It is the closest to unconditional love. The love you give without expecting anything in return reflected in all charitable acts. It is the compassionate love that makes us sympathize with, help and connect to people we don’t know. The world needs more Agape.
6. Philautia: Love of the self
The ancient Greeks divided Philautia into two kinds: There is one that is pure selfish and seeks pleasure, fame, and wealth often leading to narcissism and there is another healthy kind of love we give ourselves. Philautia is essential for any relationship, we can only love others if we truly love ourselves and we can only care for others if we truly care for ourselves.
7. Storge: Love of the child
This is the love parents naturally feel for their children. It’s based on natural feelings and effortless love. Storge is the love that knows forgiveness, acceptance and sacrifice. It is the one that makes you feel secure, comfortable and safe.
Defining love can help us discover which kind we need to give more of and which kind we want to receive. If we incorporate Eros, Ludus & Pragma into our relationships and Agape, Philia and Storge into our lives, we will reach Philautia and live a happier life. TC mark
SW-User
True love requires an investment of emotion and trust, and falling for someone requires a leap of faith. You don't know what is on the other side - even if you think that you know the person. You just have to hope that they are being genuine, and you have to be ready to pick your self up, dust off, and move on to the next opportunity if the current one should prove fruitless. It is hard work, this loving, and it is hard work picking yourself up and remaining honest, open, and loving. Some people give up or carry around a lot of baggage that holds them down. I don't want to do that. I want something real and beautiful, but it is scary to think about jumping into the unknown.
No offenses please.
I felt investments as in share market are been talked about while I read the response. I wish you the bests.
Lover in love doesn't think of failures, setbacks coz their devotion is only towards the beloved.
In love (which ought to be true - atleast that's what I feel) one has to be ready enough to let somethings of themselves go. Destroying a part of self for the lover in other words. That willingness and readiness is a must, is my opinion.
I like the fact that you thought of sharing and much thanks for your initiative, dear Moonchild0315.
Bests.
I felt investments as in share market are been talked about while I read the response. I wish you the bests.
Lover in love doesn't think of failures, setbacks coz their devotion is only towards the beloved.
In love (which ought to be true - atleast that's what I feel) one has to be ready enough to let somethings of themselves go. Destroying a part of self for the lover in other words. That willingness and readiness is a must, is my opinion.
I like the fact that you thought of sharing and much thanks for your initiative, dear Moonchild0315.
Bests.
Doomflower · 41-45, M
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Breathingeasy · M
VioletRayne · 36-40, F
Texaspilot · 51-55, M
JohnnySpot · 56-60, M
Liminalghost · 51-55, M
Unsatisfiedstace · 51-55, F
You are truly an amazing man my friend. Thank you so so much for putting so much thought into this and sharing. 💋💋
geekoo · 41-45, M
no description is possible i guess :)
Moonchild0315 - How is it scary?
JakeShade · 61-69, M
a four letter word?
@ pilot - 👌
Unsatisfiedstace · 51-55, F
Oh you got that right JS!! A dirty one
Doomflower · 41-45, M