What Does Love Actually Mean?
Whether it’s the love for your spouse, kids, or friends; the devotion to a cause or an idol; the desire to be happy or to help others; the desire to be understood or admired — we all feel some kind of strong connection to people and things that are important to us. We use words like “love” to describe all of these feelings and emotions, but there are a lot of different theories about what the word actually means. Some scientists think that love is simply a biological drive, influenced by hormones such as oxytocin and neurotrophins; others believe it’s more of a psychological phenomenon, shaped by a person’s beliefs and culture.
Some psychologists believe that there are two basic kinds of love: romantic love and companionate love. They believe that a person who is in romantic love feels intense emotions of passion and attraction, and may idealize the person they are in love with. This type of love can be triggered by specific cues, such as an attractive face or body, a particular scent or sound, or the feeling of being compelled to stay close to the other person.
Companionate love is a more familiar and stable form of affection and commitment to another person. This love is fueled by mutual trust, shared experiences, and affection for one another. It can also be triggered by specific cues, including fond memories or positive emotions about the other person. Companionate love is the kind of love most commonly felt between family members, and it’s often found in long-term marriages.
There are many ways that a person can show their love for another person, including physical affection, gestures of kindness and generosity, and spending time together. However, the most important way that people can show their love for someone is through their actions and sacrifices. Many people have used their love for others to promote well-being, both on a personal and global scale. This is best exemplified by the selfless love and sacrifice shown by individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Maya Angelou, and Oprah Winfrey.
In the Hindu tradition, the love of god is referred to as prema or bhakti. Prema refers to devotion and spirituality, while bhakti is the practice of selfless service. This is the type of love that a person can practice on a daily basis by taking action to reduce suffering and to help others find peace. There are a number of ways that this type of love can be demonstrated, including by sharing religious texts and devotional songs, and by volunteering to work on charitable projects. This type of love is a central theme in the Hindu philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which advocates loving all of humanity equally. It is also embodied by the acts of compassion and mercy performed by people such as Mother Teresa and Father Ambrose Burnand. This type of love is also referred to as karuna in the Buddhist tradition.