Space as a Neglected Attribute of Love: The Generosity and Freedom of Emptiness

The episode challenges the conventional understanding of love, which typically emphasizes closeness, togetherness, and merging. Dr. Taraban argues that "space" – defined as separation, emptiness, and the field in which things exist – is a fundamental and often neglected attribute of love. He posits that space is not merely an absence but an active, generous, and essential component that enables existence and flourishing. The core distinction made is between love as solely proximity versus love as encompassing both proximity and distance. Space is presented as a "container" for life, a "field" for matter, and an "element" for passion, contrasting with the smothering effect of constant closeness. The podcast highlights the paradox that emptiness and separation are not antithetical to love but rather foundational to its expression and sustainability, providing the necessary conditions for growth and movement. The practical insight is to re-evaluate and appreciate the role of space in relationships and personal well-being. Recognizing space as a form of love encourages granting freedom, trust, and respect for individual autonomy within loving connections. It suggests that allowing room for independent movement and existence is a generous act that prevents smothering and fosters genuine passion and vitality. This perspective has broader implications for understanding healthy relationships, personal boundaries, and even spiritual concepts of creation. By reframing emptiness as useful and space as loving, the talk encourages a more expansive and nuanced view of connection, moving beyond simplistic notions of constant togetherness. It implies that true love provides the freedom for individuals to be themselves and pursue their natural inclinations, fostering a deeper, more resilient form of connection.

I'm going to argue that space is an attribute of love a kind of loving.

usually when we think of loving we think of closeness we think of togetherness we think of merging with the loved one however I would like to argue that space that separation is also an attribute of love.

space is the container of all that exists from a purely physical perspective space is the field in which matter exists.

without the container of space no life is possible it would have no place to be.

space the field within which life becomes possible is a form of generosity it allows life to exist therefore It's a Kind of Love.

It's the empty spaces of a house that we live in It's The Emptiness of the cup that holds the drink we build structure but we use emptiness without space there is little that can be done.

space to sexuality is like heir to a conflagration it's the element that allows combustion to occur without it there is no flame of passion.

finally space implies freedom it does nothing to impede the motion of physical bodies through it so we can see that there's a kind of trust and respect in space.

recognizing space as an attribute of love is to understand that freedom of movement is an essential component of loving it deserves greater appreciation in the collective consciousness.