Love is one of the most complex emotions, and it can be difficult to define. Some people believe that it is a basic human emotion like happiness or anger, while others think that it’s more of a social and cultural phenomenon. Still, most people agree that love is a feeling of strong attraction and emotional attachment to another person.
Some psychologists see love as a combination of different emotions, including lust, attraction, and affection. These emotions are influenced by hormones such as oxytocin, dopamine, vasopressin, and serotonin. In addition, social factors such as a potential union meeting societal expectations or sex-seeking behaviors can also influence whether people fall in love.
A more spiritual approach to love focuses on a higher power. Some Hindu writers and theologians use the term bhakti to describe devotional love. This form of love is believed to be divine and impels people to perform charitable acts to reduce suffering. The bhakti movement is a major part of Indian and Sri Lankan culture, where it has been around for thousands of years.
The traditional biological model of love focuses on the idea that love is a mammalian drive, similar to hunger or thirst. This view is based on the theory that romantic love creates a chemical reaction in the brain that causes people to feel excitement and attraction. In addition, it’s possible that people feel a sense of attachment, similar to the way an infant forms an attachment to its mother.
For people who subscribe to this belief, it’s important for a relationship to be satisfying on both physical and emotional levels. This means that a partner should make the other happy and provide them with security, comfort, and trust. In addition, it’s helpful to spend time together and learn more about each other. This is especially important if the two people are in the early stages of their relationship.
Another common view of love is that it’s a process of becoming more whole and complete. For example, a person who is in love with someone might try to change them for the better in order to gain their attention and affection. In addition, this person might feel a sense of ownership and control over the other person.
Lastly, some people believe that love is a choice and not a feeling. This view argues that the commitment to a partner is what makes them love them, rather than a specific feeling of affection or attraction. This understanding of love can explain why some people remain committed to a toxic or abusive relationship.
For those who believe that love is a practice, it can be easier to understand how it lasts over the long term. While feelings of love can disappear and life changes can happen, this understanding of love is more resilient than it might appear at first glance. This type of love requires patience and understanding, but it’s worth the effort if you want your relationship to last.