I made a video blog. Tell me what you think. Also, I changed the "About Me" and stuff (the links, up top) and updated my book and music and photo. Etc... Etc... Etc... boat races.
:-)
Love.
8.11.2011
Everything Changes
Wow... Blogger changed while I was gone.
I made a video blog. Tell me what you think. Also, I changed the "About Me" and stuff (the links, up top) and updated my book and music and photo. Etc... Etc... Etc... boat races.
:-)
Love.
I made a video blog. Tell me what you think. Also, I changed the "About Me" and stuff (the links, up top) and updated my book and music and photo. Etc... Etc... Etc... boat races.
:-)
Love.
Posts
40 comments:
:)
Heya Charles, Trav here :D It's a wonderful thing to see another person opening themselves to so much compassion.
Recently I too have begun to go through similar changes. I think love is a chemical reaction in the human brain. but More than that, I think it's rooted in compassion, compassion for a parent, a friend, family, a lover. Even strangers can feel the joy in random compassion. I love it that you've come to this side Charles. Hit me up later man, I'd love to dive into that brain again.
Charles, You both remind me so much of me when I was confronting many of the same questions a long time ago -- in the 60's. I am sure you know the song by George Harrison, 'Love Is All You Need'. A few years before his death an interviewer asked him if he still believed that ... He (Harrison) paused for a moment and said, "Yes, I still believe that: love is all you need". There is so much that has been written on this question. In church you will hear priests and ministers describe the difference between romantic love and the love the Greeks called 'Agape'. My own idea of love is taken from the Christian-Judaic beliefs. I believe that God is Love. One of the most memorable sermons I ever heard was when the vicar described the love of Christ as being 'hard' and then he paused for a moment before adding 'hard as nails'... Later in the service he blessed a plate of nails and each person present was given one as he or she walked from the communion rail. If you believe in love and go forward with it in your heart it will take you on an amazing life-long journey. But it will also be difficult and challenging and will require understanding and forgiveness when the black times come. There is so much more to say about this -- but that's it for now. Glad you are having a nice summer in Colorado. I am in the South of France and the sun has finally come out in all it's glory!
I just love how you are on the video!
Priyanka: Your comment was perfect. Thanks.
Travis: You surprise me a little. Pleasantly. I am down to talk in whatever way is easiest for you. I'll facebook you for now. Thanks.
The Broad: South of France?! How wonderful! I appreaciate your thoughtful comment. I am aware of the song you are talking about. I've also been thinking about the '60s a lot lately. It seems to me as though the psycho-sexual revolution that almost happened then didn't because the "revolutionaries" of the time lacked the technology to push their ideas across the globe in an instant. They couldn't, for instance, make a video and have someone in the south of France watch it easily the next morning. Maybe the revolution just needs another try under these new circumstances. I believe in the "love is all you need" quote, but I believe that it is probably more deeply meaningful than any of us could have ever guessed. Also: if I might ask, since I am curious and that's what I do now, can you tell me how romantic love and the "God is love" love differ? or do they?
This was great, son. I am honored to be apart of your Epiphany.
I feel that I have so much to learn from you. That's right, the teacher becomes the student. I am way down with The Broad. I felt a bond with her as soon as I read her comments. Right on! Oh, and would you ask Jera if she would give me a pedicure?
Charles,
So glad you're feeling happy and renewed. Though I'm not a "religious" person, I do believe that there are times in our lives when we are more open to feeling the connections between ourselves and others (and nature). If we allow ourselves to feel that connection, it is quite meaningful and a spiritual experience. For me, sustaining that feeling is the difficult part.
well, you asked for some biochemistry science stuff so...regarding love, romantic love at least, i just read a book by helen fisher saying that romantic love was based in the older reptilian part of the brain and involved reward centers, motivation and pleasure centers. thus one is driven to seek this love, has the extra boost of energy and passion to pursue it and explore it. that what she said.
on the other hand, my brother who was very very anti-religion recently became this hardcore born again christian. he too was spending much time weeping. i am curious about your experience because i remember your post about that religious conference you went to and for you to get from there to here...well, like i said, i will follow with interest.
to exploration,
jill
:) i liked your video. i watched it all. i dont think ive ever commented on your blog before, i read it every once in a while.
i dont know how to describe love but i am glad that youre transitioning to something much more than just existing.
heh. i went through a similar phase of what youre going through when i was actually, in iraq. unfortunately, it didn't "stick", so to speak. more like, i moved on and also got addicted to pills. anyways. good luck with it all. Jera is extremely beautiful and you seem to have a wonderful life!
take care.
Waldoni: Jera doesn't have the proper training with industrial chemicals and solvents that it would take to give your feet the proper attention they need. And thank you for the rest of your comment. It was moving. Although I wouldn't count on learning much from me.
Jill: I feel the same way, generally speaking, about the "conference" or "cult" or "seminar" thing I went to. I wonder if some of the people there having spiritual epiphanies or not, but I can't imagine that a warming wave of compassion and love would last that long if you had to pay $500 for a weekend of it. Also: have you read "The Red Queen?" it is an interesting book about the genetics of sex. About attraction and all that stuff. Probably along the lines of the book you mentioned.
How did your brother become "born again?"
Anonymous: Pain pills can be a bitch. Thanks for watching the video and commenting back. How long has it been since you were in Iraq? I'm pretty interested in talking to people who have spent time overseas fighting in the last ten years.... you should comment back or shoot me an email.
Hey Charles! It's great to see a post from you again. It was also really great to have the chance to see you open up and share your epiphanies with us. I too have a deep fascination and appreciation for our unique genetic codes that make us who we are. However, that genetic code is exactly what we all have in common as the human race. It is truly an amazing thing. For my bilogical psychology class a few months ago, I actually had the chance to hold a human brain in my hands. It was a very surreal experience, realizing that in my hands I was holding everything that made up a person. His memories, emotions, physical abilities, everything.
I believe that love is a combination of factors: physical, chemical, mental, emotional and spiritual. I also firmly believe that we, as people, have a deep NEED for each other. We NEED to connect with other people and allow ourselves the chance to love something/someone outside of ourselves. I honestly think that these interpersonal connections--both deep and fleeting--are what make us who we truly are.
If you want to discuss anything in more detail, you're welcome to e-mail me. I'm always up for a good conversation. :)
thoughtsbycandice@gmail.com
Wow, great video! Love is... I'm not sure what it is. It's a feeling that I can't describe, but I know when I'm in it because it makes me crazy.
Really happy you liked Zion I!! You should also check out Wordsmith, I love him. He's got a bunch of great mixtapes for free download on DatPiff.com :)
You want to fill your holes my connecting with fellow human beings.
Got it.
Oh, and "Stranger" is one of the best books ever. Enjoy.
Candice: I am interested in talking more, at length, but rather than doing so in the privacy of e-mail, I propose we figure out a way to build a public conversation about these kinds of ideas...
I kind of tend to equate love with god with the deepest scientific truth. I think that romantic love (or, I think what might be more accurately just labeled "sexual love") is kind of a separate beast from the love I am talking about right now...although I think there is a lot to be gained spiritual and personally when you are doing the searching with an intimate partner.
It's a deep dig, the L word.
Tsaritsa: i will peep wordsmith. You get my stamp of approval twice now: dresses fresh and recommends good music. ;-)
Doug: Blow me
Doug: This book has several thousand more words than the next biggest book I've ever read...
It's wonderful how you can experience empathy like that. I love it and hate it when it happens to me because 1) I'm alive and I know that I'm not alone, and 2) I hate it because it's so overwhelming. People tell me to stop tripping or worrying about things, but I don't think I can change that part of me, and I don't want to.
I think it's wonderful how Jera is filing her toenails in the middle of it. So random. AND I loved how she smiled when you spoke about your experience. She loves you!!! :) Anyways, I hope you get to experience that amount of love and empathy out of nowhere, because it does come from somewhere. It has happened to me before. I've had this experience on the bus system with ugly people around me and I LOVED them. I felt a love pulse through me, and I believe it was the God of the Bible. But this is my experience. My love is NOT perfect, but it was different when I wasn't loving on my own.
I'm not so good with expressing myself because my dear you did ask a loaded question that could be expunged upon in so many ways. I have to admit that my own life has its struggles lately, and while I say I am a Christian and I have a relationship with God — dude, I really suck at it. I have not had as much faith in Him as I should have, my devotion to Him has sucked ... but God is faithful to us, and sometimes ... SOMETIMES I actually feel that around me. It's just been a crazy year.
One of the things that's been helping me press through aren't the cliche bible verses I know. It's in a Bible book called 1 John, chapter 4. One verse I think may explain me better is "No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us." I don't think we ever get really perfect, but I think that once it's not in and of myself, it is more than myself and probably originates outside myself. Anyway, I digress. I won't shove anything down your throat or feed you BS because I don't want it done to me. I'm still searching as well, so BS ain't gonna help anybody. If you'd like I'll pray for you, and leave it there. This is good stuff!!
Alexis: I don't consider a word of what you wrote "digression." Progression, maybe. Thank you for your dig on this. And don't worry about feeling like you are shoving anything down my throat. I want to know what you think regardless of what you think my reaction or thoughts might be about it. I have found a new glory in like... not worrying about what other people are going to think and just kind of... speaking and acting from the gut. It is really beautiful.
May I ask if you attend church regularly? do you belong to a particular denomination or sect?
Saw it all the way to the end and before I get into the deep stuff I have to point out the coolest part was your girlfriend just sitting there doing her toes and the cat that hardly moved and looked like a stuffed animal :) Too awesome.
I think as we get older and evolve, so do our beliefs about the important stuff, such as spirituality, religion, love, etc. When I was younger I believed in everything the church taught and in God and Jesus. Now that I'm older and worked in a church for a few years, I guess the business aspect of the church was some sort of rude awakening for me. I'm not saying that I don't believe in God, but I don't think everything that's fed to Christians is exactly true. The church is a business, the perfect business, in fact. I think that more important than God is the ability to feel "good" and do good. And I think that's where your epiphany came from in the car when you heard that song. The ability to realize that there is so much evil and bad things that take place on a day to day basis, but that you can still feel compassion and a sense of awareness for what's happening is what makes it REAL. I feel that sort of love/sadness/compassion towards children/animals. And even though it's possibly a little dent in the problem as a hole, I like to think the animals I rescue and the child I sponsor in Ecuador is the beginning to some sort of change. And maybe I'm just a sheltered human being who hasn't truly experienced real poverty first hand, but it makes me feel good to know that I'm making some change. To me that's love, and it makes me feel good and happy and alive.
Seek whatever makes you feel that way, and even if the changes you make in this world are small, they are still a drop in the pool of true change.
Ay Dios mio I have preached more than a Sunday mass. SO sorry!
p.s. My Anonymous commenter has been around for a few months. They are a little crazy/overboard, but I think the comments are hilarious. Glad you're back!
I wasn't really referring to romantic love and/or relationships. I was talking more about our need to see other people as fellow human beings and experience that overall love that we should all feel for each other. I believe that it was Charles Dickens who referred to the human race as "fellow passengers to the grave." Looking at people like this really gives me a more eternal perspective on life.
Everyone that we meet, everyone that comes across our path--even if it's just for the most fleeting of moments--has the power to change us as individuals. Who knows how smiling at a stranger on the street might have changed that person's life? I honestly believe that everything we do in relation to our fellow human beings is significant. That is what I meant when I said that we as people really and truly need each other.
I also believe that God has a great deal to do with the way we treat each other. It seems to me that the people who truly believe in a deity of some sort can have a greater appreciation for the people around them, because they can see that we all come from the same place and in the end, we're all going to the same place.
Does any of this make sense, or am I being too confusing here?
Annah: I had to shoot my cat up with a lot of ketamine to get her to stay still like that. Which pissed me off, cause then I didn't have as much to slam before I went on my little rant about love there. :-(
Anyway, i definitely feel what you are saying about pretty much all of what you said. I am finding that... although it is occasionally valuable to me to ponder the misery of the world all together, I have a lot more success and happiness for myself if I just focus on the people that the universe puts in front of me on any given day. Or, like your case, the animals that the universe seems to bizarrely throw into your life. It's nice to just... focus on the moment.
And I want more "sunday mass" annah. And I want you anonymous commenter to come here to comment on me. That would make my day.
Candice: I was musing about the romantic love part, and believe i understand what you're gettin' at on that. As far as the mid-section of your comment, I think that's what annah was talking about too: just giving the right person our loving time and attention when they come into our sphere or whatever.
Everything you said made sense. Do you believe then that a dedicated atheist can't attain that sense of "seeing that we all come from the same place?" Couldn't the genetic path, and the primordial soup, be the unifying, deity like experience for atheists? Just wondering what you think of that.
Hmmmm...I might have to think about this one to come up with a coherent, detailed answer, but for now my initial response would be yes. I think a dedicated atheist can feel that connection, it would just be different.
Question: Do you believe that there are any TRUE atheists out there? I mean, I know there are a lot of people who say they don't believe in God, but it seems to me that everyone believes in some sort of higher power, even if it doesn't have a name. What do you think?
this could be because i'm in a psych class currently, but ultimately isn't self-actualization what we're striving for as humanity? that kind of empathy and awareness of the interdependency of the universe is a big thing. i remember when i got that, specifically what was happening, who i was with, where i was. it was mind boggling and opened up a whole new world for me. coming to a point where you understand that interdependency and how your actions influence and create the world around you is a heavy thing and takes a lot to process and own - good luck on your journey.
neo-pagans have a saying that people come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. it's about focusing on who is in front of you now, who is with you now, and not worrying about who will be with you tomorrow because each person will ultimately serve a purpose in your life. however, belief in an idea like that would require some kind of belief in a higher power, wouldn't it? sorry, i'm rambling ;)
oh, go check out my latest blog for some ol' fashioned faux-nudity. it'll be a nice break from the heaviness :D it's all about balance, charles.
CHARLES!!!
I LOVE THIS!!! This is really heartfelt thinking that we're all doing here. So much to touch on, and I have to be this adult that doesn't get to answer this until I get home from my day job.
Anyways, to answer a previous question you had. I do go to church regularly, but I've had to go about "church" differently. It's getting more and more boggled as I've gotten older and I have to make it simple for myself. Denomination wise, the church I currently go to is Presbyterian, but I was raised Church of God, and I have a lot of nerdy theologian friends. I have attend a bible study and the services, but I try to base my decision on which group of people to worship with based off of my "gut" if you will, and Biblically. I do NOT get with megachurches. As Annah stated that the feel of churches these days is a feel-good perfect business. The TRUE Church is a body of people all over the world who live for God and after that they take care of the people around them, believers or not. (So strange, I was just having this conversation with someone yesterday too...)
This whole love thing. I think as individuals we want to be wrapped up in it because the world is ugly, yet beautiful. The romantic love is a reflection of the all-encompassing love that I think you want to know more about. It has its perks and its limits, but not the all encompassing love. We all want to be loved for who we are and loved to be better than we are, and from what I know of God, that is what he is or supposed to be.
The question about "the genetic path, ...the primordial soup, [being] the unifying, deity like experience for atheists..." AWESOME thought. What I dislike is that Francis Collins and Richard Dawkins get to have these conversations with each other, and we just watch, but in real life we don't get to think this deep with another atheist or agnostic person. Seeing they don't believe in any form of supernatural entity, their idea of unity may just be based on some ... survival of the fittest ... notion that we just need to survive. I have a notion that they think that all of our love and emotion is a biochemical reaction that keeps us procreating and surviving for generations despite the fact that we've almost killed ourselves off so many times before. I would love to know how far the unifying love for the world and human race is for them. I don't even know. I'm just ranting.
My ability to love gets better the more I know God I feel. I've seen myself do it better in the past because of all the Christian bible reading I do, and praying is even better. But I do have problems with forgiveness and just releasing all of that and living full hearted in joy. I think that epiphany is powerful, even for me. I would love to throw aside my angst, my people approval motives, my skepticism even as this Christian I'm supposed to be able to love fully the people in my life here and now. And see, even though you drugged your cat, you know that you are not alone in your ... brokenness maybe. Like I said before, it's sucky when you know how not-loving you have been, but experience out of nowhere the ability to feel and love intensely and almost perfectly.
Candice: It's interesting that you wonder whether or not there are "true" atheists. I was speaking with a woman who is somewhat older than me recently about that ad she seems to wonder the same thing... she wonders how one could continue waking up every morning without... SOME kind of belief in SOMETHING. For her, without belief in God, there seems to be an inherent lack of purpose.
I think differently. I think that a true atheist can still find purpose and meaning in the purpose and meaning of their genes. For a true atheist, purpose might revolve around advancing human kind and ending suffering through science. Maybe....
Steph: I like the neo-pagan saying! It's cool and makes sense to me. And I see that self-actualization is what some people are struggling for but I also see that some people are just as happy filling roles or playing out archetypes... which seems okay to me as long as they are truly happy... I would want each individual human to know that they have a choice to be who they want to be you know?
You should describe to me what "self-actualized" means to you in more detail. And I will peep your blog.
Alexis: You said a lot! Thank you so much. I am enjoying this as well. I was raised Roman Catholic, in a very traditional church. I have no experience with mega churches or anything, although I hear a lot of the pastors are homosexual meth users. which would be fine by me, were they not preaching against those two things... oh well, maybe it still is fine by me. Who am I to judge?
I have a love/dislike thing with dawkins. He is so smart and so articulate and so compelling but he can be such a dick... I don't think miltant ANYTHING is a good thing...
Also: in a way it is sucky to be able to see how I have been wrong in the past, but in another way (and I assume you know this) it is really amazing to have revelations about things like that because every time I do, I feel like this weight literally justs lifts of my shoulders....
Do you believe that the book of genesis is reconcilable with modern understanding of biological science in any way?
Oh crap, I had a lot of run-on sentences too. Oh well.
Roman Catholic, huh. Explains a lot. I promise, I'm not judging, but catholicism has messed a few heads up over time.
"homosexual meth users" ... well, that's pretty close. LOL. I was in a semi megachurch for a couple of years. Like 2000 people or something. A real trendy hipster church. (And I saw your post about the Shit You Hate in Feb, and the way people dressed was a lot like that. LOL, but then again, that's St. Louis too.) It's a 'just business' in a place like that. It was alright at times, and I did learn a lot, but you can get what they give almost anywhere. I can't begin to really expunge upon it without being too harsh or explain it accurately.
Dawkins. Smart, yes. Militant, nail on the head. I agree with you whether it's politics or religion, civil rights, or atheism, militance is just as stupid and destructive. Doesn't help anyone. I saw a documentary online, for free a few weeks back (http://documentaryheaven.com/the-trouble-with-atheism/), and it mentions what's wrong with all of it: having a religion versus not. Atheists can love and care about life too. But they can care too much just like anybody else. Perks and downfalls to everything. I guess it's fair to say that they're not psychopaths.
That last question you asked. Dude. The book of Genesis is the basis of the faith, and if it's wrong, then we've got ourselves a very crafted and smart fairy tale. And if you were listening to NPR the same time I was, I think we may be hitting on the same story about how some 'Christians' don't believe Genesis is worth its salt. I'm supposed to pick the brain of one of my good nerdy theologian friends pretty soon over coffee. I await this argument eagerly. I'm blessed to have friends who have scientific minds as well as philosophical/theological bents, but no atheists to understand.
I think intelligence is another great gift we receive, but I don't want to worship it and negate valid experiences. If God is God, I want Him to show Himself. A lot of my charismatic and extremely confident friends would think I was going to hell for my doubt. But I'm not in the business of proving God wrong. I'm looking for truth. I know the Bible has a lot of it. And I just want to experience Him like anything else in everything. So I'm praying and seeking, and asking questions is apart of that. I think you're on the right path to ask too.
I see your point, it makes sense. I can understand how science would become "God" for an atheist. They are making science and genetics their "higher power." It's something to believe in.
I've been thinking about this whole conversation today. In this train of thought, I can honestly say that I understand how an atheist would find a true connection with their fellow human beings through an understanding of our shared genetic makeup. Perhaps in their minds, the "same place" that we come from is our genetics, and the "same place" we're going to is the earth.
I can also see how they would find meaning in this life, because as far as they're concerned, this life is all we have. They're going to make the most of it. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all appreciate our time in this life in the same manner? Mortality is so fleeting, and I'm sure that in the end no one wants to have any regrets.
Now I'm curious: What is something that you would regret missing out on at the end of this life?
Alexis: I don't begrudge my Catholic upbringing at all. It gave me a rich and deep philosophical construct with which to look at the world at a young age. I know a lot of people deal with catholic guilt. I think I used to.
On genesis, I have a book laying around that I need to get back into it's really just an essay by... St. Augestine i think... one of those saints that is actually frequently read, studied and quoted by modern philosophers in all ranks of academia... it's called "On the literal interpretation of genesis" and he talks about how genesis is in some ways either metaphorical, or deceptively complicated and not as flat out as it sounds. Essentially, a philosopher who was well respected by the church itself hundreds of years ago was saying "look, seven days and seven nights could have meant... something different than literally seven days and seven nights." I wonder why you rarely hear Christians today talk about reconciling their belief with science in that way...
I don't think i feel like I would need a deity to expose itself to me. I am comfortable with a level of mystery....
candice: I wish we had a more atheistic person in on this conversation...
Let me tell you something that might make me sound crazy: i don't think i'm going to miss out on ANYTHING in this. I think that I am going to live forever. And I think that many people in my generation will. I believe that we will attain a technological singularity at some point in the next twenty or thirty years and the breakthroughs from the explosion in development and knowledge in all fields of science and technology will allow humans to CHOOSE whether or not they die.
How's that for optimism? Let's live forever, huh?
I think it is contingent upon some things, but i think it will happen. do I sound any crazier than I always did?
No, you don't sound crazy. I think that the idea of living forever is a very optimistic way of looking at things. Also, it makes me wonder how many people would choose to die rather than live forever. I mean, you see all of those sci-fi stories about people who are "cursed to live forever". You know, they always stay young, watching the world change around them. Of course, those people are immortal while all of the people that they love are growing old and dying around them...Hmmm...you raise an interesting question here:
In a world where science and technology is keeping us all alive for as long as we want, what is the quality of life? Are we growing older and more decrepit throughout the centuries, or are we staying young and healthy forever? I think that would be the deciding factor for a lot of people.
You know what Charles? I think you should write a book about this future for humanity. I bet it would be amazing, and it could open people's minds to the possibilities laid before the human race.
You still sound just as crazy, and that's alright. Living forever — I know I want it. And that outlook on technology is plausible. St. Augustine. Great brain and a great story right there. I think I've heard that before and I can say I might agree with him. Genesis was a book that by the time the Israelites came out of Egypt, they didn't know who they were. Moses was given the history by God and we have the first 5 books of the Old Testament. Genesis has poetic, metaphorical, and historical elements woven in it. Doesn't mean it's untrue, but it's the Jews' history and it was how it was told that doesn't seem to be so translatable to our time in history and culture. (Got to talk to my friend last night about it sooner than I thought.)
Anyway, the world can't be explained all the time into one thing, so I will concur with your agreeableness to the mystery.
Candice I like your last statement... I got a lot out of this Charles! :D
Candice: I would like to write about such things, to be sure... but now I am much more interested in like... creating that future. Bringing it to life immediately. Any ideas on what you think would have to happen to get that future goin' a little more quickly?
I'll be honest with you, probably the best idea i've had so far is just to do what we are doing here. The free honet exchange of ideas between humans seems like... it comes at a premium these days. People are trapped beneath so much bigotry and jealousy and anger and hate and insecurity....
Alexis: Speaking of the poetic qualities of the bible, have you ever heard that Shakespeare may have written part or maybe even all of the "king james" version of the new testament? You should try to google that... it's really interesting and it makes a lot of sense.
Have you read the bible?
Yeah, I read the bible. Almost since literacy. I'll google it, but I read a lot of Shakespeare too, and I never grabbed any Shakespearean elements from it. I get a lot of things from it, but not Shakespeare. LOL That's some theory there. A whole lot of so called experts have theories, but like all a whole lot of things they are tainted by our own biases, etc etc.
I don't know what would have to happen. I guess we'd have to figure out WHICH of the many fields of science would be most essential to creating that future, and then spend the necessary time and energy in studying those things. Then comes the development of the technology and medical science that will bring those ideas to life.
I agree that making people more open-minded and encouraging the sharing of ideas is the best place to start. Once we can all let go of fear and anger and accept each other's differences, we'll be well on our way to a better future.
I still think you should write that book, though. :)
It's good to see you back in the blog world, Charles, and good to put a voice to the words that I've always enjoyed reading. Your new "About Me" section is not only brilliant, but is thought-provoking and moving.
As far as the "definition of love", I'm not sure that I CAN define it. I have experienced it, I have cherished it, and I've come so close to feeling destroyed by it. It's this near-incomprehensible, overwhelming RUSH of emotion, and caring, and a desire to wholeheartedly give yourself to another, to do everything you can to make their life better.
That was probably nonsense, but without spending a lot more time on it, that's the best answer I can give.
All my best, Charles and Jera. :)
One of the problems with being in the south of France is that I have very limited Internet access -- in some ways this is good, in others it drives me crazy! You asked me the difference between 'romantic' love and God is love. Well, first of all, I would suggest that God is love would encompass 'romantic' love. So the question of what is 'romantic' love would include the love we feel for another when we discover an attraction and sexual desire -- but that is not all -- it can be love of beautiful music, poetry, art. I would not, for example, call the love one has for a child or one's parents, 'romantic'.
Yay! I didn't check blogger for close to a week, then, when I do ... BAM, new blog from Charles. Sweet. I was so excited, I watched the video from the library yesterday when I had no way to hear the sound. That was mostly to see if you broke out into a dance or something though.
Very compelling and complex questions you posed. I love light-hearted & ranting posts you do too though. Like someone said, it's all about a healthy mix. I'll have to do some thinking on the what is love question. Maybe I'll write a blog about it and then send you the link ... we'll see.
In closing: welcome back, dude. Your blog was very much missed. And to Jera ... you file your nails before removing the polish? Is there a reason for that? :o)
OK, one more comment:
On defining love. It almost sounds like what you are talking about is compassion. Which is different from love. I think that any and every one loves someone or something, everyone feels love at some point.
Not so much with compassion though. For example, the tyrannical and oppressive rulers of this world, past and present, all loved. I'm sure they loved their countries, their families if they had families, or they just loved power. The problem is/was that they lack compassion.
Perhaps I am over-simplifying. Perhaps not.
Love is a virus and the outcome is peace.
It is great to have you back Charles!! It is a powerful thing to have someone not only tell you that they have had a great experience but to also ask you to come along for the journey. We would be surprised how may lives we affect with small actions.
Now I was lucky enough not to inherit my parents' religions but to be given the chance to choose. My Dad is from a Hindu background but went to a Roman Catholic school here, back them most schools were Christian, my Mom is from a Muslim background. As children my siblings and I were exposed to all religions in our household and we were left to choose.I chose to be Hindu and I don't regret it. Why is this relevant? You are lucky to be able to choose, to think, to ask to question, many people in this world are denied the choice in the simple and profound freedom of exploring their spirituality or lack thereof. The whole thing though must be about your belief, not a mindless acceptance of another's. Enjoy your journey.
As for love, to me its like an extremely
multifaceted diamond, you can see and revel in its beauty no matter what direction you look at it, but the direction you are considering it from makes your description very personal and dependant on the facet that you are looking at. So I find it difficult to define love, to me you just know love. Oh I love the way Americans say "I-raq" we always pronounce it as "EE-raq". It's wonderful that love can make life so beautiful.
I really enjoyed the video blog, it was great that you and Jera and the cat shared this time with us, and yes while Colorado may be beautiful in summer, Trinidad is beautiful all year ;)
Had 2 conversations this past weekend about living life for whatever it is that brings true joy to a person. Thought of you!
Here's your atheist. :) I consider myself an agnostic atheist but am frequently told that I'm just an atheist. I believe that if there is a god it is everything that is. The entire universe. Dark matter, your desk, your pet, the person you dislike least in the world and you. Science says that on the smallest level everything is made of the same thing. This sameness to me is god. We have created ourselves and we continue to create everything around us.
If you want a book to help you reconcile being a Christian and a thinker I recommend God and Science. It's written by a Christian who is also a physicist. Very interesting ideas even if you don't embrace them all wholeheartedly.
Agape love, or love of all humanity. I think this is when you experience the connectedness of everything that is. You can love that police officer because at some basic level you realize that they are you and vise versa. This allows for empathy, compassion, etc. It isn't self-love because it is loving that part of you that is higher than yourself. Even though we are all god we are still only human.
Romantic or sexual love is tricky. Lust, for sure, is genetics. The species trying to survive. Many confuse this with true (what I call spiritual love) love and that brings us to the current divorce rate. I don't believe in soulmates. But I do believe that every once in a while two people meet and their souls mate. This is the fairy tale we are all searching for. In my mind it is a concentrated agape love. You are mating your soul with another that is on your spiritual level and this allows you to feel the love you have for the universe concentrated in one other person. If you and Jera are not there yet it seems you are on the right path. I wish you much luck/love/happiness.
BTW I found your blog via Annah's. LOVED your...um...gross lip service comment. Gives me hope that there are other freaks out there besides my douchebag ex. :)
Charles - I made it to the end of your video and felt obliged to comment [funny... I didn't think guilt trips worked on me! :)]
What is love? Good question... I think love is a lot of things.
Love is having passion, for someone or something. Love is that feeling when you wake up in the morning before your brain turns on and reminds you of all the things you have to do when you get out of bed. Love is looking into someone's eyes and having a place in someone's heart. Love is caring about yourself and others. Love is having people in your life and being comfortable with being alone. Love is the breath in your lungs and the spring in your step.
Well done!
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