What is love?

One of the best answers I ever found for that question comes from a short story by Carson McCulles that I read way back in high school:

„It is this. And listen carefully. I meditated on love and reasoned it out. I realized what is wrong with us. Men fall in love for the first time. And what do they fall in love with?“

The boy’s soft mouth was partly open and he did not answer.

„A woman,“ the old man said. „Without science, with nothing to go by, they undertake the most dangerous and sacred experience in God’s earth. They fall in love with a woman. Is that correct, Son?“

„Yeah,“ the boy said faintly.

„They start at the wrong end of love. They begin at the climax. Can you wonder it is so miserable? Do you know how men should love?“

The old man reached over and grasped the boy by the collar of his leather jacket. He gave him a gentle little shake and his green eyes gazed down unblinking and grave.

„Son, do you know how love should be begun?“

The boy sat small and listening and still. Slowly he shook his head. The old man leaned closer and whispered:

„A tree. A rock. A cloud.“

_____________

Ever since, I have been running around a lot, loving trees. And rocks. I’m not particularly fond of clouds, but I try to love them, too.

So I was somewhat prepared when I undertook the most dangerous and sacred experience on earth. It lasted 362 days. After that, in order to stay alive, I went back to trees. And rocks. And clouds. And, later, the occasional man.

This blog is about what I practice the science on. It’s about what I find in my path and fall in love with. It’s about things I see, words I read, dances I dance, thoughts I think, that make my heart swell with love.