What Is Love?

[Teek]

Greetings kin,
I realise this is a tremendous question that can't really have one answer in many peoples minds (or hearts), but i believe it is something that would be of great interest to discuss. There have been millions of songs written about it, wars fought over it and buildings erected because of it. People are born and die because of the notion of love everyday, so what is it how do we define it and most importantly how do we get it and keep it in our lives.
In An Afrocentric Guide to a Spiritual Union, Ra Un Nefer Amen describes the 7 divisions of the spirit and suggests that what many people classify as love in the west (sexual fulfillment and need) is based on the lower intellect/ animalistic parts of our brain function. He goes on to say that love can often be defined or seen as selflessness but that selflessness is not an essential relationship requirement. So how do you see it have you ever been " in love" and if so how did you know?

[The sword of Oya]

Yea she must of had a WHOLE LOT OF LOVE in her heart to put up with you all them years. Just kidding:). A beautiful sista she was.

[Dan Tres Omi]

i was about to say the same thing...

i feel the same way about my wife. she puts up with my junk all the time.. lol

[al Asaad]

Love is not having to go through a "credit check" with her.

Love is not minding her morning breath; and her mine...

Love was seeing my unborn babies in her eyes...

Love is; smiling at her teeth; in a jar...

Love is standing with her on the railing of a cruise ship in Grenada...

Love is putting down the toilet seat...

Love is the big hole in the bed since she is gone...

Love is me tearing whenever I hear the Temptations sing...

Love is seeing her in our five daughter's smiling faces...

Love was me having her new Tucson detailed just for the hell of it...

She was a Walmart store manager: and love was me, going into her old store one day and standing in the front looking down the aisle waiting for her to come back up front from lunch and realizing she would neve do that again...

Love is thinking I just felt her breath on my neck;
instead of in my mind...

Love is me; still wearing my wedding ring...

[Sister Lily Mihirete Amlak]

Blessings Al Saad, what a beautiful and simple way to put it, simplicity is more profound than many complex words to explain such a divine energy.
just beautiful, your love for her is a great example of why life is so precious...
you and her were blessed with 49 years of mutual love and commitment, you are blessed still by having such warm and powerful memories...
In this world where people struggle to be together for a month, 49 years seems like a very special gift given to you...

[Teek]

My god this bought tears to my eyes.
al Asaad I'm so very sorry for your loss but also so pleased that you got to experience such joy and a deep sense of love in your life. This recollection was beautiful and very moving, give thanks for you feeling comfortable enough to share it, I give thanks for the 5 manifestations of your love and your wifes spirit that are your daughters. Your wife was gorgeous you and now we are truly blessed.

[LovingLife]

Absolutely Beautiful, Bro. Al Asaad!!!

Thank you so much for alowing us to see what love REALLY is through your life example. No theories or well crafted philosophies. Just REAL TALK, indeed!! Both you and your wife have truly blessed all of us.

Peace, Love, and Blessings to you,

LovingLife, everyday!!!

[Teek]

Thanks Nikoi and Oya
both your words are very powerful and thoughtful indeed. Nikoi what do the young men in your group think of love? I have been led to believe by a few males friends of mine that love is emotional rubbish that gets in the way of sex! but the word can be used as a tool to get what they ultimately want. Would you say your young men would agree with that?

@Oya thank you so much for sharing your thoughts its lovely to have such a warm and loving family. If you don't mind me asking how does the love shown by your family manifest itself what do they do ? If they didn't do anything would you still feel loved, if so why.

[JOSHUA]

This is mt exact point that Love is divinity therefore it always exist and of course u knew love when u were born b/c it is part of one of the highest manifestations. What I'm saying is that people forget this factor and remember it through various means. I apologize if I did not clarify that. Thx u for your comment
HTP

[Keith NiiAbose Nikoi]

This is the point that I'm trying to make by stating it is divinity and that it always exist. I would expect nothing else except your response b/c childbirth is the highest expression of this. What I was suggesting is people forget this and therefore find other ways to re-member (recall) what always exist. I apologize if I did not articulate this well in my statement but thx u for the comment.
HTP

[Keith NiiAbose Nikoi]

Whoops, I apologize by answering w/ my nephew account, Joshua

[LovingLife]

Love is the state of joy and appreciation that motivates one to experience, express, and tranfer this state (via action) to a beloved person or thing. The effects of this expression or transfer of love energy serves, enhances, and elevates the beloved person or thing.

Peace, Love, and Blessings,

LovingLife, everyday!!!

[Teek]

Greetings bredrin LovingLife
thanks for your thoughts they are always interesting and concise. I like your definition and can definitely work with that but what about when the beloved person or thing does something you don't like, and i don't just mean something like belching in public but something that would bring harm to you or cause you emotional or physical distress in some way. My point is if you say you love someone on Monday and they do something upsetting on Friday do you still love them? If so does that not mean love transcends feelings somehow?

When do you decide when you love someone? Is it when you can't stop thinking about them, is it when you think of them only sometimes but always with warm fuzzy feelings when you do? If love is divinity does that mean it has nothing to do with sex and maybe sex is just a pleasurable way to make more of ourselves?