What is love?
The most asked question in the history of the human race
What is love to you, how do you define love?

For me love is like a seed that when nurtured with kindness, respect understanding and of coruse an ass load of love making(Yes there is a diffrance between sex and love making) will grow into a might redwood that will stand the test of time and fulrish

It's timeless in the sense that we've been asking it since time immemorial, but I think the answer has changed quite a bit over the millennia. These days for instance, idealism and romanticism are on the wane, cynicism is in the ascendancy. I think the innocent love of 50 years ago would have been quite nice to experience.

Hope that didn't make me sound like a complete mangina!

To me, love is a choice, a verb rather than a noun.

Even with children, parents can very much choose *not* to love them, even though this "choice" is more or less universally reviled.

Love is a choice, a choice to put the needs and interests of the beloved before oneself.

It's on the wane, in my view, in part because of the rise of the cynicism culture that Brian mentions, but also in part because of the individualist culture that has arisen. We're all encouraged by the culture, the laws, the economic system, even our families in some cases, to "look out for number one", first and foremost. Of course, that's not a horrible thing, but when it becomes excessive, it leads to a kind of ingrained solipsism or even narcissism -- and both of those inhibit the formation of habits that can enable a person to make the choice to love another.

It does vary personally with experience, but it changes with society as well. I know some kids around 12 or 13 who are not just more cynical than I was at their age, but more cynical than I am now!! And as time goes on I see fewer really old couples that have stayed together all through their lives.

Everyone's different. There were a lot of horrible marriages back then as well, but expectations, and society's standards, norms and reference points, can affect how content you are in life. People seem less content now, even though they have more choice and material things. One thing is probably certain, even if the parents made themselves happier, the chances are it caused a fair amount of misery for many children.

In those cases it probably is the least bad option. I suppose I'm talking about much more marginal cases that might have survived with a fair amount of happiness, but modern life with it's different priorities (often plain selfishness) tempts people to look for that elusive something that will get a bit more out of life for them.

BTW, I had a terrible time with my parents divorcing as well, including a suicide attempt by my mother (to get attention I think). I grew up being the father figure to my younger brother. I was left with no father figure at all.

I can still see my dad knocking the bedroom door in. That will always stay with me. Even though my dad thought it was all just a cry for help, for me it was very real and frightening.

Love is recognizing how much you need someone (?)

Well, I think the Bible says it best. Love is charity, and charity is the pure love of Christ; love, compassion, service, sympathy and concern for others. Excerpts of the following passages are often quoted with the word 'love' exchanged for the word charity.

1 Corinthians, 13

1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Its a massive boost of dopamine in the brain that enables a person to feel invincible, fearless and higher than anything else..

In effect, it is temporary insanity.. "being in love" is the excuse for everything, the reason for everything..

But it keeps its influence in your mind forever by its memories being strong..

When we think of those we love, or have loved, is it not these high states of pleasure we recall and wish to recreate?

The greeks had it right, the highest expression of love was to gladly die fighting and sacrifice oneself for ones brethren..

It is also something that only males are able to truly experience..

I think there is much to back that idea, men seem to still have feelings of love towards women who have loved them for much longer that the women have..

Being in love, is something I think too many people don't understand these days. It's something I think I've forgotten about too now.

I'll have to answer this when I've actually BEEN in love; and I think either I, or English women's demands, have to change before this happens. Love is but a perception, different for everyone, anyway; there is no definitive answer to the question. It's a continuation along a scale, somewhere after liking, though. Also, love contains an element of lust, generally; you can be as unshallow as you like, but you're not going to be in love with someone who isn't of the gender you're attracted to. Although, that then begs the question: can you love your friends.

But rather than think about it this deeply, I think I'll just go and play with what I DO love: my right hand. x x

Moi?

Nah. I will give you a 'human-being' pass for that one.

In English we only have the all-purpose word: Love. We need a goodly few more. The Greeks have several.

Maybe what we percieve as sanity isn't all it is cracked up to be, my friend.

Perhaps God's 'insanity' of Love is the reason for everything. To make everything as it is takes a pretty wild mind.

The 'Glass, darkly' could do with some windex. But as Krishna said to Arjuna, "Look upon my face and die". Maybe it is as well that we cannot see and understand the nature and power of love, but simply let it unveil itself for us over eons.

Love is God-given.

It has divine aspects.

When 'In Love', the ego boundaries melt to meld with another's.

Unconditional Love is the most powerful, ego-destroying force known to man. No-one would willingly want it.

I shall pop into the drinks cabinet and enjoy a large one to that!!


Hmm! Yes, I have noted how it affects folk and it is worrying..