A lot of people use the word love. Popular songs, needless to say, are riddled with the word. It is a word that is so easily dished out; however, its profound depth of meaning may have been long neglected or absent in human culture. If love, for an individual, is tied to self-interest, or motive, it is likely not actually deep love; then, in such very numerous cases, it is involved with (or “is”) desire. If self-motive is involved, then it usually is mere desire, relish, and craving. Deep love is not what is mere desire or what involves self-motive. If one says one loves one’s nation or immediate family, for instance, but does not deeply care for all humanity and all forms of life as a whole… then that so-called love may just be a form of self-gratification or motive for security (out of fear).
Profound love goes far beyond mere sensation, far beyond mere gratification from stimuli. A merely greedy, avaricious mind cannot be of it. It may be that few people (on this little globe) truly have love. It may be a rare jewel that one cannot cultivate or exploit. Like humility, one cannot program it to occur or make it happen; additionally, one “of it” would not “know” that one is imbued with what it is. Though it cannot merely be cultivated or manufactured, it may occur in a very perceptive mind that is deeply aware of internal and external relationship. Most, unfortunately, perceive with (and “as”) separation; this negates love via innumerable limited psychological walls and barriers. Does one really love another, or is it an image (or set of images) that one’s set of internal images are associated with and fixated upon? Is — in the mind — one set of images that cling to another set of images what profound love is? What is limited, self-centered, and small cannot — by natural law — deeply be in harmony with the whole. The limited (mind) will cause conflict (internally and externally), friction, wars, turmoil, pollution, and suffering. In awareness that is not the product of the separative images and patterns that others cling to in limitation, the free mind is of an untethered vastness that largely transcends what causes suffering, friction, and prejudice. Such a mind has no borders and, therefore, love is possible.
Mating Butterfly (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2017
Mating Butterfly (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2017
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Reblogged this on Ethereal Happenings.
Many thanks for the reblog! 🙂
I love your nature shots. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
It’s a complicated emotion with many meanings, as you say Tom. But one to be celebrated always. Great photos too.
Yes, well, it depends; it can easily be abused. Thank you, Jet! Keep snappin’! 🙂
Great piece. I am convinced that in this day and age, love is a temporary thing, a word used in the moment to address many different things. A strong emotional word but used in so many different connotations that it becomes a figure of speech. Personally, I have been in love and also have loved many things but eventually, they all pass.
Thanks, Francis! Yes, it is very temporary (and usually quite superficial) these days! There is a profound love (that includes a love for all life) that is very deep and not perishable. 🙂
wonderful words for a wonderful thing: love. You have described well what real love is, Thomas, have a nice day, regards Mitza
One hopes that it was described well; but, never forget, the description is never the described. Tweetie says, “Hi” and is eating corn on the cob right now.
Perhaps we all start with loving mostly for things that love brings, which is joy, warmth, safety, connectedness… but through all that we also begin to learn to love all that is, as something within one’s soul is altered, maybe for us to be able to go beyond borders, separation or mere self-gratification, yes… and it feels that it is almost one’s duty to take that step, sooner or later in life. 🙂
Yes, more need to take that step; and the first step is the last step. 🙂 That step has nothing to do with an isolated self.
I appreciate this thoughtful perspective Tim. Profound love goes beyond personal emotion, and becomes a sensing or knowing that everything is connected. Let it flow 😎
It’s Tom, but that isn’t important. It’s perception beyond knowing. 🙂 Knowing is just a residual after-effect that can easily distort if things get out of hand… and they easily do get out of hand with so much of the erroneous miseducation that people have had.
Thank you for this wonderful question Tom, it’s maybe enough just to bear it in mind; where is love? Is it here, there?
Thanks, tiramit! 🙂 I think, anyway, that love is not confined to a place. It is not confined at all. And concepts, which are symbolic and limited, have little to do with it. Our miseducation, way back in the past, certainly did not encourage it.
All you need is love…
Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be
It’s easy
🙂
Beautiful reflection about Love, Tom ! Great picture! 🙂
Thanks regarding both, Marcela! Keep snapping! 🙂
Many years working in therapy groups with adolescents has convinced me that when the group is working well it is because of love.
Perhaps.
Well said, Tom! Sometimes, in some cases I can’t help but wonder, the one who says love… is asking for love. Thank you for your insightful words. Beautiful images!
Exactly, Amy! And i’ve heard the word “love” used many times by people who (quite easily) will stab others in the back.
I really wanted to say “most of the time” instead “sometimes”!
Amazing!
Thank you, Karen! 🙂
😄Joke
I love this piece!!! It would be so inspiring if you could give me feedback on my post too please
Great post
Love is intangible! Your rendition of the butterfly is wonderful.
nature love
This was a great read, it makes you think if unconditional love really exists. I’ve always believed that nobody loves you as honestly as your parents and everyone else’s love comes under conditions so really it all has a time limit
Hello please view my blog at handlingrelationships.wordpress.com 🙂
I am deeply interested in what you have written so stronly about. Love, multi-faceted. So beautiful when it is true but a word so overused.
There is unconditional love and true humanitarian love.
I have written some poems on this same issue but not yet posted…….coward me.🦋😊.
Thank you for visiting today.
miriam
Question: Do we love our parents because they simply loved us first?
Love love
Amazing Nature Shot and beautiful words.Nature is just so divine and Love for Nature is just so pure.During the last few months of Travel, I too have come across few of most beautiful creations of Nature – A Pink Pigeon , A White Peacock and some other delightful species.Have a look
Exploring the Colours of Nature – A Photographical Insight
http://the-passport-souls.travel.blog/2017/10/11/exploring-the-colours-of-nature-a-photographical-insight-2-min-read/
love is all we need in this chaotic world
Nice Article … Visit a Love dose here https://voiceofdil.com/2017/11/07/money-you-cant-buy-everything/