It is no secret that humanity as a whole is grappling with numerous issues that have been brought forth at the behest of magnanimous growth and development. To handle it all, there has been an incessant chatter about how love can help us conquer it all.
We are all shepherding towards love and light as the ultimate source of happiness to lead a flourishing life. But what exactly is it? How does one reckon that they are feeling love and what is the measure to fathom it? In this blog, we will talk about the different types of love and how this beautiful energy continues to be the only bridge that connects humanity to divinity. Intrigued? Let’s read along.
Meaning Of Love
From ancient scriptures to poets and even pop culture; love is everywhere. After all, this is one emotion that has been carved out by the ink of Gods and its power has continued to dominate sermons and teachings since antiquity.
Love is a wild and wonderful thing. It’s not just about romantic gestures or heart-fluttering moments but a warm feeling that makes you feel seen, safe, and invincible. Love can be experienced when you are bursting at the seams with your best friend, feeling the warm embrace of family to the first flush of new love, and everything in between!
Love can be experienced in everything and each form of love has its own magic. Love can be felt and found in the simplest of things and at times it can be a complete mystery. Yet, we are all chasing it and hoping to hold onto it when we find it.
What are 4 Types Of Love In The Bible
This passage from 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 of the Bible is one of the most profound descriptions of love ever written. The Biblical meaning of love reminds us that love is the very foundation of a meaningful life.
Without love, even the most extraordinary talents, the deepest wisdom, and the strongest faith amount to nothing.
True love waits patiently, even when it’s difficult. It chooses kindness, even when it’s undeserved. It lets go of anger and resentment, even when these vices feel justified. Love is the force that protects, believes, hopes, and endures.
And the most powerful truth about love is that it never fails. Everything else will be lost in the sands of time one day, but love shall remain. It is eternal!
Here is a breathtaking picture of how we experience these 4 types of love in the Bible in all its forms.
Eros
Eros is the fire of romance and passion that draws two souls together. It is the type of love that ignites passion through a powerful flame that is as unyielding as death itself. But beyond mere physical attraction, Eros can also be described as an appreciation of beauty that allows us to see someone’s heart and soul in the most breathtaking way. This is the form of love that is both intimate and sacred.
Philia
Philia is the love that ignites affection in kindred spirits. It turns strangers into friends. It is the soulful connection between friends who lift each other up, laugh together, cry together, and walk through life side by side. This is the love that Jesus showed to His disciples, calling them His friends. Philia is not about romance, but about unbreakable bonds we choose who stand by us through thick and thin.
Storge
Storge is the steady love that binds families together. Think of it like the warmth of a mother’s hug, the protective shield of a father’s heart, the love between siblings who have grown together. Storge is not flashy but it is fierce and enduring. This form of love stands through the test of time through joys and trials alike.
Agape
Agape is the most selfless type of love. This is the love that God has for humankind. It is a love so vast, so boundless, that it embraces the unworthy, the broken, and even the lost. Agape is not based on emotions or circumstances. It is a divine and unshakable form of love that remains, no matter what. This is the type of love that God has for all his beings.
Love As A Divine Energy
Love is the most beautiful, palpable and recognized form of divine energy that paves the path to spiritual awareness and can transform the manner in which we interact with the world around us.
The sacred verses of the Bhagavad Gita teach that love is not just an emotion but a spiritual way to connect with the Divine and experience ultimate bliss. It is a force that flows through devotion, selflessness, compassion, and devotion (bhakti). Here is the meaning of love in Bhagavat Gita as explained by Lord Krishna himself:
- Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga is the path of selfless devotion. Lord Krishna explains that the highest form of love is surrender to the Divine, where one offers their heart, soul, and actions to God, expecting nothing in return. Even the simplest offering that we make to the Lord with love, is more precious than material riches.
- Detachment & Divine Love
Krishna teaches that love in its highest form is not about possession or dependence.
This means that true love is about giving, not controlling. When we love selflessly, the experience of love becomes divine and liberating, rather than binding and painful.
- Universal Love
In this form of love, a person recognizes the same divine presence in everyone. It is compassionate, all-encompassing love, where we serve and respect all life forms as an extension of the Divine.
- Moksha & Divine Union
The Bhagavad Gita teaches that the highest form of divine love leads to Moksha (freedom from the cycle of birth and death). This is the purest form of love where one trusts completely, surrenders all fears, and merges into divine grace.
How To Find Real Long-Lasting Love
If you are wondering about how to find love, the process doesn’t have to be as complicated as it seems;
- Know Your Own Self First
Love isn’t about finding someone to complete you but about becoming whole first. Before you get to experiment with different types of love, you must get to know yourself and what truly lights you up.
The more you understand YOU, the easier it is to find someone who truly aligns with your energy.
- Love Yourself First
Before you go on to find long-lasting love, you must become your own soulmate first. Start by treating yourself with the kindness and care you would expect from a partner. Heal your past wounds as you can’t invite true love in if you’re still carrying baggage from old heartbreaks. The right person will love the real you; with all your flaws and quirks, and all.
- Work On Your Energy
You attract what you put out into the universe. If you’re radiating negativity, fear, or desperation, you’ll attract more of the same. To that end, surround yourself with positivity and be the kind of love you want to receive. Remember, that your soulmate will feel your energy before they even meet you, so make sure you’re sending out the right signals.
- Love Will Find YOU When You’re Ready
When you become the best version of yourself, your soulmate will feel that energy and be drawn to you.
So instead of asking how to find love, become love. Live fully, love deeply, and trust the universe. True love is closer than you think.
Conclusion
As we dive deep into the meaning of love, we understand that it isn’t something to chase. It’s a journey of self-discovery, energy alignment, and divine timing. The 4 types of love in the Bible and the mention of divine love and surrender in the Bhagwad Gita all propel you onto a path where you align with your highest self.
So, don’t get entwined in the false narratives of waiting to feel complete by hinging yourself to someone. Become whole, radiate positivity and let true love flow towards you! To know more, you can visit UEF and learn about our Universal Enlightenment and Flourishing Life which also includes a flourishing child programme which is designed to nurture love, spiritual awareness and growth in every stage of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Meaning Of Love?
Love is one of the most intense, selfless and divine forms of energy that connects with us on the deepest level. It is both the journey and the destination that makes us mellow yet very powerful. Through all the different types of love, you foster the courage and the power to think of someone beyond yourself with the most positive intentions.
What Are The Different Types of Love?
There are four key types of love found in the Bible:
- Agape
- Storge
- Philia
- Eros
Similarly, Hindu philosophy, as explained in the Bhagavad Gita, also acknowledges universal love (Bhakti), romantic love, and selfless devotion as forms of pure love.
What is the Gita Line for Love?
The most beautiful lines about love in the Bhagavad Gita is:
“Bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ, tato māṁ tattvato jñātvā viśate tad-anantaram.”
This means that only by loving devotion can one truly understand Krishna, understand his essence and reach him.
What Does Bhagwad Gita Tell Us about Love?
When we understand the meaning of life as explained in the Bhagavad Gita, we see it as a path to Spiritual Growth – Devotion (Bhakti), that acquaints your soul with the divinity within.
What is the Bible Verse About Love?
One of the most well-known Bible verses about love comes from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”