Love can only be known apophatically, that is, in terms of what it isn’t. Thus, love is not romance, not loyalty, not emotion, not anything we can say, point to, or believe in. Herein the humility of love. We don’t know what it is.
Love is not what the culture says it is. The culture says love is romance. This is not true. Love is quieter, humbler and steadier than that. Romance is incidental. Comes and goes.
The parable of the Good Samaritan tells us what love is—an uncaused and spontaneous action of the heart. It also tells us what love is not—a good intention, a romance or beautiful words. There’s nothing in it of culture or convention. It makes no distinctions.
Love is radically inclusive, has no favourites, admits no exceptions, neither waxes nor wanes. We cannot speak of ‘true’ love because love cannot be commodified, categorized or confined. “Love everything that breathes,” said Gurdjieff.
One day in the near future machines will introduce us to each other. Oh, wait. I notice that Bumble is seeking a US$7-billion valuation as it enters the IPO market.
Men's Work 