Very interesting, and, I think, very true. This is rather illuminating, particularly because while I understand the Western ideal of love as embodying passion, I don't like it. In fact, you could say that I hate it, mostly because it is so painful, and it doesn't last. It can't, because passion like that is, as you said, built on absence. Real, solid love is built on compromise, companionship, and the agape love that is selfless, IMHO.