Barbara Fredrickson’s Love 2.0: How our supreme emotion affects everything we feel, think, do and become paves the way for more scientific exploration of what Jesus taught 2000 years ago. He said that all the  commands of the old covenant were summed up in two: Love God & love your neighbor as yourself. He said that the entire law of the torah is summed up in love.

Love the Supreme Emotion

It’s about time scientists got with the program!

I’m half-way through Love 2.0. While the concept of a power greater than ourselves, God, or a Divine Source of Love has not shown up in the book so far, it confirms what my personal and professional experience has told me is true–that loving and being loved is our core need. When satisfied we thrive. When our love need is unmet, we struggle.

Fredrickson’s research indicates that just reflecting on our positive, loving engagements with others in an intentional way activates positive psychological and physical changes.

Last night after a day filled with positive social encounters with others–including playing with the pre-schoolers at church who always remind me of the power of living in an open hearted way–I went to sleep holding those memories in mind. I slept better than I have in a week and woke up in a positive state of mind.

I’m excited to finish the book, but even more excited that someone is invested in researching the supreme importance of love in human flourishing. I pray for blessings on her work and that the body of research and literature on this essential area will expand.