Is love just chemistry?

[Xan]

Attraction may be just chemistry, but Love... That's the essence of existence, the substance of which all things are made, your own inner being.


Xan

I'm happy to report that the idea that love is just a matter of chemistry is not true. What is true is that there is a biochemical basis for many of our emotional responses, including love, fear, anger, happiness, etc. If you do a breakdown on the biochemicals of somebody who is in love, you will find that they have a different biochemical make-up than somebody who is angry.

However, it does not follow that biochemistry predicates emotions. If anything, it could be more likely that our perceptions and our emotions predicate our biochemistry.

For instance, if you're walking in the wood and see a bear, you body starts producing adrenalin and other biochemicals. You first must perceive the bear (or think the bear is there) in order for the biochemicals to be produced.

Does it make more sense that you are walking down the street carrying a load of oxytocin and other biochemicals, see a beautiful woman (or man...if that's your preference) and feel that "falling in love" feeling...or, does it make more sense that you first see the object of your love (i.e. the woman) and then your body starts producing the biochemicals? I go with the latter scenario.

Most likely, our actions are not based 100% one way or the way on our biochemicals, but, without question, perception (and conception) can and does predicate what happens in our bodies.

It depends on what you consider "love" to be.

For me, Love is a Spiritual connection, and it may manifest itself in our reality in manny different ways and provoke different feelings on us. Feelings involve chemical reactions, for what people with neurotransmitters disturbances such as depression, eschizophreny, etc. may develop inadequate emotions, feelings (being feelings composed by emotions too, in a psychological/medical perspective) and behaviours towards different situations.

And then another question comes up. Is love a matter of behaviour? If we treat someone bad, does that mean we do not love that person? And if you treat someone right, does it mean that you love her? Is a functional relationship one that is only possible if there is true love?

I believe, as we grow more and more aware and informed about our spirituality, that relationships will become more significant to us and we will chose our partners with more compassion and understandment rather than social and disajusted emotional factors. We will learn to adequate our behaviour to our true feelings and me more honest to ourselves and others.

Blessings and May Love Shine into your Whole Life!

You know how some drunk people suddenly say "I love you" often? That's what makes me think it's a bit chemical, after all. Of course you have to take a lot of things into consideration to assume this, but if they say it, must be because they're feeling it (love) right on the spot, right?

[psychoslice]

A little joke from Osho.


Nancy was having coffee with Helen.
Nancy asked, "How do you know your husband loves you?"
"He takes out the garbage every morning."
"That's not love. That's good housekeeping."
"My husband gives me all the spending money I need."
"That's not love. That's generosity."
"My husband never looks at other women."
"That's not love. That's poor vision."
"John always opens the door for me."
"That's not love. That's good manners."
"John kisses me even when I've eaten garlic and I have curlers in my hair."
"Now, that's love."

[mArIya]

Hey there



I believe love is MORE than just a chemical reaction - ATTRACTION to someone may induce a chemical reaction. Love can develop from that initial connection - should a relationship be sought - chemicals again - might be responsible for pursuing. LoL sorry a mouthful.


LOVE is so many things - it emcompasses more than just what a string of choice words could describe - the Wholeness / Completeness - the presense that that someone brings to your life - has an impact on the very core / essence of you. Makes our insides do somersults doesnt it?


Ahhh Love - a beautiful thing indeed, everyone should have this in their lives! Makes every day look lighter and brighter in my opinion

Namaste

[7luminaries]

Originally Posted by psychoslice

A little joke from Osho.


Nancy was having coffee with Helen.
Nancy asked, "How do you know your husband loves you?"
"He takes out the garbage every morning."
"That's not love. That's good housekeeping."
"My husband gives me all the spending money I need."
"That's not love. That's generosity."
"My husband never looks at other women."
"That's not love. That's poor vision."
"John always opens the door for me."
"That's not love. That's good manners."
"John kisses me even when I've eaten garlic and I have curlers in my hair."
"Now, that's love."

Nice. You may substitute ..when I'm not all together, not "perfect", just human, make mistakes, don't have all the answers...etc.

Yes, that's love at the core, isn't it? Just love...that's all.

[Xan]

Adding to Osho's good joke...

When you have no husband or significant other at all... still you feel love for-no-reason within yourself... That's love.


Xan

Originally Posted by Xan

When you have no husband or significant other at all... still you feel love for-no-reason within yourself... That's love.

Do you think that life can be for someone who doesn't have a partner/significant other as happy and joyful as when you find one that truly matches you, in all emotional and spiritual aspects?

Do you believe that a person can be as happy as before as when his/her significant one dies, truly embrancing life again?
(This could give rise to another thread, I know... )

Blessings

[Xan]

Originally Posted by Leah85

Do you think that life can be for someone who doesn't have a partner/significant other as happy and joyful as when you find one that truly matches you, in all emotional and spiritual aspects?

Well, first of all, what are the chances of finding someone who perfectly matches you in all aspects? It seems to be a very rare thing in this world.

And yes, I have no partner now and yet my love and joy keep increasing, from my own inner heart and my distant soul connections.

Do you believe that a person can be as happy as before as when his/her significant one dies, truly embrancing life again?
(This could give rise to another thread, I know... )

Blessings

Yes... When one's beloved dies the grief and loss can be healed, and one's heart may open fully once more, truly embracing life and love again.


Xan