Love is one of the most complex feelings we have as humans. It comes in many forms, including the bond with our family, the camaraderie of friends and the butterflies from romantic feelings. It enriches our lives and provides support during tough times, but it also requires care and understanding to thrive. The challenge is that it’s not always easy to distinguish between true love and just really liking someone a lot. In fact, misunderstandings about the nature of love can lead to heartbreak in both personal and professional relationships.
Some researchers believe that love is a primary human emotion, similar to happiness or anger. Others argue that it’s more of a cultural phenomenon, and that the way we think about love is shaped by our experiences and social expectations. And, still others point out that while it is a powerful feeling, love is more than just an emotion; it’s an experience that involves a multitude of emotions, behaviors and attitudes.
One common definition of love is that it’s a commitment to another person based on mutual respect and trust, regardless of the present circumstances. This kind of love is often referred to as unconditional or selfless and can be found in all types of relationships, from marriage to friendships and business partnerships. Ultimately, this type of love is what sustains a relationship and makes it worth the work that goes into it.
The majority of people in romantic relationships describe their love as a combination of companionate and passionate love. The traditional psychological view is that these two styles are based on mammalian and social evolutionary needs. This means that the chemistry between lovers is influenced by hormones such as oxytocin and neurotrophins, and by their ideas about what love should feel like.
In contrast, the spiritual view of love is centered on compassion and empathy for others. This form of love is often referred to as karuna or prema, and it is the basis for bhakti, which describes loving devotion to God. This form of love is harder to practice, because it’s often unglamorous and involves dealing with the pain and insecurity of other people.
To help us better understand love, we asked a group of people in a variety of different stages of relationships what it meant to them to be loved. Their answers might surprise you. Click through the slideshow to see their responses, then share your own thoughts in the comments section below.
