Ludus, or playful love was how the Greeks described the attraction between children or young lovers. I remember being in "love" with my first crush, but I was young and naive! Oh, how our hearts change and grow...
Eros, or sexual passion, is a dangerous form of love. "Eros involves a loss of control that frightened the Greeks. Which is odd, because losing control is precisely what many people now seek in a relationship. Don't we all hope to fall "madly" in love?" Furthermore, not distinguishing between Ludus and Eros and Pragma (next) can be very problematic in a romantic relationship.
Pragma, or longstanding love is the love between life partners, whether they be married or otherwise. It will never cease to baffle me that anyone could have a problem with two adults sharing this kind of love and spending their lives together. There have been several marriages in my immediate family, and can you guess who has been together the longest? M'two gay aunts going on 36 years of happy marriage.
Agape, or love for everyone needs a serious jump start. I once had a yoga teacher ask me to picture in my mind, the one person that I loved more than anything else, the one person that I would do absolutely everything for - and then she asked me to imagine loving every single living being that much. Can you imagine? I strive to cultivate such a big heart, but in the mean time I still have a black hole in my heart filled with bankers and thieves.
Philautia, or love of the self may need to re-purposed in our current state of affairs. In my experience, some people love themselves way too much, and others hardly love themselves at all. How much of the world's greed and anger stems from self-loathing? I'd like to know!
Now that you are equipped with six ways to love and six ways to make both yourself and others happier, go out there and spread the magic.
References:
(1) http://www.yesmagazine.org/happiness/the-ancient-greeks-6-words-for-love-and-why-knowing-them-can-change-your-life
(2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHv6vTKD6lg&list=PLzvRx_johoA8PC6S5k5S2SszRQOR8oSEa&feature=c4-overview-vl