The Wisdom of Love: Toward a Shared Inner Life

by Jacob Needleman

Book Overview

What is the antidote to romantic love that all too often exhausts itself over night? This work suggests love can be a reflection of our spiritual being. It states that by the time we are living... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1596750073
• ISBN13: 9781596750074
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: Morning Light Press
• Length: 127 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Love Abides

While Jacob Needleman's book "The Wisdom of Love Toward a Shared Inner Life" is a back-pocket sized 126-page Philosophy book, it is not a fast read. It requires concentration and the willingness to stop from time to time to ponder and read some of the profound passages again. The author states that "the thesis of this book is that the ideal of sustained love between a man and a woman calls us to practice a love that is neither purely passionate nor purely spiritual." Professor Needleman speaks of the many facets of love, including caritas, agape, bhakti, charity, trust, spiritual, physical, erotic, love for one's mother, father, friends and so on; however, the willingness to be selfless and attend to another's search for their meaning and purpose in life is a working love that strengthens and sustains a relationship. I think most readers will learn some important life lesson through reading and studying "The Wisdom of Love." I thoroughly enjoyed it and am sure that I will pick it up from time to time to study the Philosophy of abiding love.

I HAVE 'THE LITTLE BOOK OF LOVE' . . .

It's elegant, inspiring, graceful, helpful and I've re-read it numerous times through three marriages (and now am reading it to my most-recent ex-wife fiance`). I certainly have taken to heart the inspiring, deep-felt simple elegant prose (almost poetry); but not, it seems, enough. I gotta keep trying . . . More adjectives re this Little Book come to mind too: Wise and Inspiring (from the cover of the original publication), enlightening, thought-provoking, engrossing and discomforting (that last because it keeps rubbing my nose in my terminal adolescence, shaming me for not having absorbed it gentle philosophy). I have the Little Book on a shelf near m'bed. It's even great to read excerpts aloud in romantic moments, situations. I hope you read it, understand it and apply it. I also, now reminded of its wisdom, hope I re-read and apply it. Finally, maybe. (Or maybe there's more to marriage and such relationships that just love?) If you want to be in love, are falling in love (you think), enhance or maybe resurrect Love , this Little Book for you. Also check out The Psychology of Romantic Love: Romantic Love in an Anti-Romantic Age

My wife and I read it to each other

In "The Wisdom of Love", Dr. Needleman challenges the cultural models that over time have left us with an incomplete image of our shared personal experience. By placing our loving relationships in a new context, where the best energies we give our life companions are at the same time the best energies we can experience in ourselves, his book points to a Wisdom that brings into view an entirely new road to travel in our shared journey through life.

The Wisdom of Love

The Wisdom of Love imparts the core value of Hospitality - the First Essential Virtue for all mankind. Professor Needleman "knows," he "gets it." There is no shortcut for humanity; we must all strive for the excellence of this total all-embracing Love. His book explains this, illustrates how - both in historical terms and in the present - man may explore this for himself and master it if he wills. I recommend it "heartily." You are Love, Happiness, and Knowledge, so why not reflect your true nature!