“I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more.” – Angelita Lim

In our previous entry, we alluded to the idea of a spiritual ecology in constant flux. Her tenders, those responsible for her well-being, pieces of a whole. Atomically, mere grains of sand in an universe of beaches. Cooperatively, mountains worth gazing at. This monolithic union is the effect of love. Our hearts are mirrors. Therefore when we love others, they will feel our love, and we theirs in return. When two hearts love one another, there is unity. But what is love?

The word ‘love’ has taken on many meanings. From the prosaic declarations of love for the things we appreciate, to the heartfelt confessions of vulnerability that many crave to hear. The feeling of love is a diverse and complex reality with many underlying dimensions. To claim there exists an all encompassing definition for this word would be myopic. The best one can do is to interpret it under the context of human experience. This is precisely what we intend to accomplish. Let’s take our starting point and extrapolate further: ‘love’ is a corollary to mutual relationships. Or more specifically, love only forms after reciprocated interest is established.

We begin with the existence of a person, and go onward to acknowledge there is a peculiar value inherent to people. The material world of existence is a world of objects, amongst which we distinguish people from things. Specifically, people differ from things in that people have the unique ability of manipulating reality through thoughts and will. This is what determines the value of a person. Therefore, a person must not be put on the same level as a thing, for the person possesses a fascinating imperfection of propensity to formation. Between the definition of a ‘thing’ and a ‘person’ lies an uncrossable gulf.

Objective and ontological needs are made real through urge. The inclination towards, or the yearning of, ‘x’ for ‘y’ stem from such urges. Love can be found in desire, for it originates from a need and aims at being rewarded a good. There is however, a clear distinction between amor concupiscentia and concupiscentia (love as desire and desire alone). Desire presupposes awareness of some unpleasant sensation which can be eliminated by the means of a particular good. For example, a dehydrated anon would seek a drink to quench their thirst. While a simple statement, it highlights an interesting implication: the word desire suggests a utilitarian attitude. Love as desire cannot then be reduced to simply desire itself, for extracting value without providing an equivalent exchange disavows the human being on the other end. Love as desire requires the element of longing. It replaces the want of ‘x’ for ‘y’ with the longing of ‘x’ because ‘it is good for me’. Desire accompanies this sense of longing, but it never overshadows it. When ‘wanting’ eclipses ‘longing’, relationships begin to deform and deteriorate.

Once more, we will emphasize that love is the fullest realization of the possibilities inherent to mankind. In love, the person find the greatest possible fullness of objective existence. Love can be described as an activity, a deed that develops a person to their fullest potential. Goodwill is quite literally free of self-interest. It is not the ‘I long for you as a good”, but rather “I long for your good”, “I long for that which is good for you”. Love through goodwill becomes amor benevolentiae, a love more unconditional than that achieved through desire. Genuine love of goodwill may accompany desire, lest it not be overshadowed.

Only true knowledge of a person makes it possible to commit one’s freedom to him or her. If one of the qualities of love is to ‘give oneself’ to the other, then that ultimately means consensually limiting one’s freedom on their behalf. The word limitation brings about unpleasant connotations, yet when think of relationships, there exists sacrifice. Restricting one’s freedom in the name of ‘love’ makes the act a positive and creative thing. Freedom taken away without the inspiration of love leaves us unfulfilled and empty. However when imbued with love, this act of will energizes the soul with its intention—goodness. The will aspires for good, and freedom belongs to the will. We can then extrapolate that freedom exists for the sake of love, because it is through love that human beings find the most good.

The great moral force of true love lies precisely in one’s desire for the happiness and fulfillment—for the true good—for another person. Because of love, people are made aware of the riches within them. The fuel for spiritual fertility and creativity. Affirmation of the words of another, are echoed by the affirmation of oneself. Even if someone is ‘bad’, love compels them to seek good for the objects of their desire. When love attains its full dimensionality, it introduces a climate of honesty and unconditionality into a relationship. A web of experiences, strengthened by the resolve for thicker connection. Love can therefore be described as the ultimate truth, a cosmic understanding.

“I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more.” – Angelita Lim

In our previous entry, we alluded to the idea of a spiritual ecology in constant flux. Her tenders, those responsible for her well-being, pieces of a whole. Atomically, mere grains of sand in an universe of beaches. Cooperatively, mountains worth gazing at. This monolithic union is the effect of love. Our hearts are mirrors. Therefore when we love others, they will feel our love, and we theirs in return. When two hearts love one another, there is unity. But what is love?

The word ‘love’ has taken on many meanings. From the prosaic declarations of love for the things we appreciate, to the heartfelt confessions of vulnerability that many crave to hear. The feeling of love is a diverse and complex reality with many underlying dimensions. To claim there exists an all encompassing definition for this word would be myopic. The best one can do is to interpret it under the context of human experience. This is precisely what we intend to accomplish. Let’s take our starting point and extrapolate further: ‘love’ is a corollary to mutual relationships. Or more specifically, love only forms after reciprocated interest is established.

We begin with the existence of a person, and go onward to acknowledge there is a peculiar value inherent to people. The material world of existence is a world of objects, amongst which we distinguish people from things. Specifically, people differ from things in that people have the unique ability of manipulating reality through thoughts and will. This is what determines the value of a person. Therefore, a person must not be put on the same level as a thing, for the person possesses a fascinating imperfection of propensity to formation. Between the definition of a ‘thing’ and a ‘person’ lies an uncrossable gulf.

Objective and ontological needs are made real through urge. The inclination towards, or the yearning of, ‘x’ for ‘y’ stem from such urges. Love can be found in desire, for it originates from a need and aims at being rewarded a good. There is however, a clear distinction between amor concupiscentia and concupiscentia (love as desire and desire alone). Desire presupposes awareness of some unpleasant sensation which can be eliminated by the means of a particular good. For example, a dehydrated anon would seek a drink to quench their thirst. While a simple statement, it highlights an interesting implication: the word desire suggests a utilitarian attitude. Love as desire cannot then be reduced to simply desire itself, for extracting value without providing an equivalent exchange disavows the human being on the other end. Love as desire requires the element of longing. It replaces the want of ‘x’ for ‘y’ with the longing of ‘x’ because ‘it is good for me’. Desire accompanies this sense of longing, but it never overshadows it. When ‘wanting’ eclipses ‘longing’, relationships begin to deform and deteriorate.

Once more, we will emphasize that love is the fullest realization of the possibilities inherent to mankind. In love, the person find the greatest possible fullness of objective existence. Love can be described as an activity, a deed that develops a person to their fullest potential. Goodwill is quite literally free of self-interest. It is not the ‘I long for you as a good”, but rather “I long for your good”, “I long for that which is good for you”. Love through goodwill becomes amor benevolentiae, a love more unconditional than that achieved through desire. Genuine love of goodwill may accompany desire, lest it not be overshadowed.

Only true knowledge of a person makes it possible to commit one’s freedom to him or her. If one of the qualities of love is to ‘give oneself’ to the other, then that ultimately means consensually limiting one’s freedom on their behalf. The word limitation brings about unpleasant connotations, yet when think of relationships, there exists sacrifice. Restricting one’s freedom in the name of ‘love’ makes the act a positive and creative thing. Freedom taken away without the inspiration of love leaves us unfulfilled and empty. However when imbued with love, this act of will energizes the soul with its intention—goodness. The will aspires for good, and freedom belongs to the will. We can then extrapolate that freedom exists for the sake of love, because it is through love that human beings find the most good.

The great moral force of true love lies precisely in one’s desire for the happiness and fulfillment—for the true good—for another person. Because of love, people are made aware of the riches within them. The fuel for spiritual fertility and creativity. Affirmation of the words of another, are echoed by the affirmation of oneself. Even if someone is ‘bad’, love compels them to seek good for the objects of their desire. When love attains its full dimensionality, it introduces a climate of honesty and unconditionality into a relationship. A web of experiences, strengthened by the resolve for thicker connection. Love can therefore be described as the ultimate truth, a cosmic understanding.