Ready for a different view of love altogether? Read We: Understanding the Psychology of Romantic Love, by Robert A. Johnson. The author completes a Jungian analysis (a school of psychoanalysis developed by Carl Jung) of the myth of Tristan and Iseult, which introduced the concept of romantic love to the West.
Essentially, he explains that Western Man has significantly devalued and lost feminine values (relatedness, emotionality, sensitivity, etc), and seeks to attain these things, which are missing in himself, through romantic love. Johnson believes that many men fall in love with a woman that they view to be an ideal feminine goddess, rather than a flesh-and-blood human being. Thus, once the magic potion of love wears off and he finally sees the real person, he is disappointed, and continues searching for that ideal elsewhere in his life.
Johnson believes that men need to incorporate feminine values within themselves, and only then can they achieve wholeness and experience true human love, based on commitment, respect, and support.
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4 Comments to
“Men & Romantic Love”
This is a good article I guess. That what is being missed in oneself we keep looking for it in others. Once we integrate those missing parts in ourselves we will stop looking for it in others.
Yes, it has been said that loneliness is a human condition, nobody can fill that space. All you need to do is know what you want. But most of the time you end up a sham.
Hmm, now times are changing and that stereotype is different. I know lots of men who know those values, and I know lots of women who don’t have those values. I love what someone said here:
“That what is being missed in oneself we keep looking for it in others. Once we integrate those missing parts in ourselves we will stop looking for it in others.”
I just think its very true!
Well said, Mr Meek.
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 13 Feb 2007
