Listening To Logos: Eros, Psyche And The Culture Of Singles

One of my heart songs that I hope humanity will soon sing is that it is imperative that we become deep listeners. Unless that happens we only ever participate in a society who listens for the purpose of arguing. Talking heads are all the rage. From the news, to social media influencers, to preachers our world is in a crisis for listeners. One of the greatest wisdom teachers of all time, Jesus, said, “Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.” This can be found in Luke 8:18 for Bible readers. The Amplified version (which is one of the more accurate translations of the Bible) breaks down the original meaning further by clarifying His words saying, “So be careful how you listen; for whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a longing for truth], even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.” Reiteration: Be careful HOW you listen. In the presence of only answers no wisdom can be gained. The understanding is that a teachable heart can receive more revelation, more insight. But, if there is no aspiration for being teachable, no value given to a discerning heart than whatever there is there, even that will be taken away. Whether you are a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Spiritual hippy dippy or atheist this is applicable. If even lesser versions, lower vibrational versions of teachableness exist than even those lesser versions are too good for a person who has no intention of better understanding the world around them. The condemnation for bruteness is one that isn’t recognizable to the brute but it does determine their trajectory to be a confused and argumentative one. There is no life in that. Understanding gives life. And, we get that by deep listening, ponderance, and silence.

In light of this I have decided to feature some of my favorite wisdom teachers and discuss their profound insights but also discuss the points at which I diverge with their philosophy. Not as one ungrateful who hasn’t listened. Not as one who hasn’t sat in ponderance. But, as someone who is hungry and open for proofs of the purpose of life. Now, what does all of this have to do with Logos, Psyche or Eros and the culture of unmarried individuals who are looking for love? One of my favorite psychologists, Dr. Maureen B. Roberts specializes in schizophrenia and is one of my favorite writers as well. Recently, she posted this to her Facebook page: Maureen B. Roberts: Interweaving Soul with the World, and said this, “

Psychology, as a ‘Logos of psyche’, has contributed little to the understanding – and nothing to the experience – of soul. Mythically, Psyche as ‘soul’ is married to Eros as divine Love – not to Logos – and Eros flees from her when she attempts to cast light on him, to subject the unfathomable mystery of love to scrutiny. Likewise, psychology perversely attempts to subject soul to dissection and rational theory – and lunar luminescence to the harsh light of control and solar analysis. In place of ‘psycho-logy’, then, we need an Eros of psyche which nurtures, celebrates and honours soul as interwoven with the web of life – and earthed within the deep roots of the World Soul.”

When I initially read this post I felt swoony. Words are my thing. And when I read about myths, archetypes, metaphor, spirit, psychology I am in the zone. This kind of language. The language of metaphor and myth has a rapturous effect on me. I may not be laying in a bubble bath laden with rose petals and patchouli incense wafting through the breeze but I certainly feel like I am! These concepts carry me. They remove me if only for a moment from the banal, the practical, the grind, the soul-sucking work culture that is America. Naturally, when I read anyone who writes like this I feel an immediate kindredness and my heart opens to the profundity that they wish to offer. But, I am careful of HOW I listen. I quickly discern if the concept being relayed by aesthetic articulation is one that has positive or negative implications. So, I wish to backtrack here and examine the overall concept stated.

Essentially, she is trying to convey that Divine Love cannot be dissected, understood or…..received by anyone who operates in logos. In other words there can be no objectivity or scrutiny cast upon love or Divine Love without it forsaking you for ever questioning it. While I agree about her assertion of how little psychology has served the soul of humanity I do not believe that Divine Love cannot exist where there are questions. So, here is what I hear. If you have someone in your life that you romantically love or claims to romantically love you and you don’t understand their behavior to be in line with how you understand love then you can never question it because the moment you do you guarantee that love leaves you. We see in dating culture this is actually a crisis. The moment someone says they love you but you see they are constantly drooling over someone else’s beach body pics on social media then it’s a natural response to ask, “are you sure you love me because you seem pretty invested in making sure that beach body knows how you feel about their body.” Now, you cannot convince me that love that is real, especially Divine love, would be so outraged that you asked a question about its desires that it instantly disqualifies you from receiving love.

If something that calls itself love cannot be bothered by questioning then it has nothing to do with divinity I assure you. Divinity implies that regardless of the amount or frequency of questions it will only ever be able to withstand the inundation. I don’t care if there are a million questions everyday if it is divine, real, it will neither tire nor shrink into offense or become impatient. Now, does that mean I think that’s how a romantic relationship should be? Of course not. Why? Because if I were in a relationship like that I would eventually lose affection if for no other reason than it would be draining. But, divine love? I’m sorry but I don’t give a pass to divine love. Divinity is of a higher, more eternal and unending quality that isn’t moved or shaken by time or the tides of emotion. There is a difference between love and simple affection. Affection is movable, it’s fickle, and it should be. But, divine love….nah. Miss me with that. Everyone is worthy of divine love whether that comes in the form of a human or as the defining energetic form of your favorite deity/deities.

Be careful HOW you listen. Love is for you and real love will never entertain disappearing because you question it.

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