Reflections: Love in Our Lives
Getting Started: Introduction
Step 1: Read the introduction to immerse yourself in the essence of this workshop and discover what it has to offer.
Because love comes in many forms, people experience those forms in diverse ways. Scholars who write about love have identified at least eight forms: philia (affectionate love), pragma (enduring love), storge (unconditional familial love), eros (romantic love), ludus (playful love), mania (obsessive love), philautia (self-love), and agape (selfless love for others).
The word “philosophy” literally means “love of knowledge or wisdom,” which explains why one kind of graduate degree is called a “Doctor of Philosophy.”
In this workshop, we will discuss some forms of love that each of us has experienced. Then, we will write and share our writing.
Exploring Perspectives: Reading Quotations
Step 2: Read the quotations below and reflect on the ones that resonate with you, drawing connections that inspire and deepen your understanding.
“Love consists in this — that two solitudes protect and touch and greet each other.”
Rainer Maria Rilke, author
“There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge is love.”
Thornton Wilder, playwright
“Where there is love there is life.”
Mahatma Gandhi
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”
Dalai Lama
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."
Lao Tzu
“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”
MotherTeresa
Reflect and Express: Discussion and Writing Questions
Step 3: Begin exploring your family’s past and weave it into a captivating story—one that brings cherished memories, untold experiences, and generational wisdom to life. Use the questions below to guide your storytelling.
Which of the quotations above resonate with you most? Why?
Do you have another quotation about love that you especially like?
In general, why is love important?
Why do we love?
Which forms of love from the list above do you think are most important? Why?
How do you define any of the forms of love listed above?
What counts as an expression of love? What kinds of expression do you value the most?
Can love exist without empathy?
When love is absent, what fills the void?
Do you have an early memory of a family member or friend explaining love to you?
How have you explained love to family members or friends?To a child?
How does the word “love” apply to your relationships with friends?
Who among your family and friends are models for how we should or can love?Why?
Would you describe any of your relationships with non-human animals as loving? Why?
Would you describe any of your relationships with inanimate objects—e.g. dolls and stuffed animals—as loving? Why?
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