Ask The Master: 12 Nov 2007

Q. Do we all love in the same way, or are there different kinds of love?

There is only one love, but its expressions vary from person to person. Intellectual love is that which is expressed through the head. Because it is closely related to the mind, this love is the most corrupt of all.

The intellect perceives love as a bargain, as a contract of sorts. It believes strictly in give-and-take. Its attitude is a calculated, ‘What is in it for me?’ This kind of love will always result in expectation, possessiveness, jealousy and violence. This kind of love transforms neither the giver nor taker.

Emotional love is expressed through the heart, and so it is a more purified expression of love. Here the emphasis is not on contract, but on contact. This love trusts and gives without much expectation. Whatever problems arise in this love are solved by love itself. This kind of love transforms the giver immensely.

When love is expressed through the being, there is neither give nor take; there is just the radiating of love. This love can bring with it no pain and no problems, because it is not dependent on the other. In fact, it does not even require an object; it is simply a radiance, an overflowing. This kind of love transforms both giver and taker in beautiful ways.

When love radiates through intelligence, it is rightly called, ‘falling in love’! When it radiates through the emotions, we may term it ‘rising in love’. When it radiates through the being, it results in ‘flying in love’! And the only kind of love worth the name is the one that can lend you wings.

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This excerpt has been taken from the book: Uncommon Answers to Common Questions