munch on Nostr: I think I see where you're coming from. In the context of a relationship, the act of ...

I think I see where you're coming from. In the context of a relationship, the act of staying, despite abuse, is not love. I think this should go without saying, but it is often confused because our perception of love in society is that it should be 'fought' for. But this idea is misguided, and I think that is your point.

I believe that suffering is part of live. I also believe that suffering and love are yin and yang. That is to say, one cannot experience live without also experiencing suffering. If you love your child, and you lose them, you will experience grief, suffering, BECAUSE you love them. If you did not love them you would not suffer their loss.

I think love also requires self sacrifice, or selflessness. If you love someone you will sometimes give up things which serve your own ego in order to serve them. You will be prepared to suffer so that they don't have to. This is an integral part of love.

Does this mean you should stay in an abusive relationship? Of course not. The act of suffering is not love. But you cannot have one without the other. This is just my experience.