Do you know the wise woman Diotima, a fictional character in Plato’s dialogue Symposium? Six learned, drunken men discuss their lyrical, illogical philosophies of love — until Socrates redirects them by teaching Diotima’s philosophy.
Love, says Diotima, is developmental. The human capacity to love must mature. First a young lover is enamoured of one beautiful body; next the lover appreciates all beautiful bodies; then the lover learns to value people’s souls; then to adore the beauty of law and customs; next to adore knowledge; and, finally, to contemplate beauty itself.
Love, continues Diotima, is motivational. People love in order to pursue immortality — not an eternal stasis, but a continuous process of generation. “Love,” says Diotima, “is giving birth in beauty.” There are many kinds of birthing corresponding to the many developmental levels of love. One can give birth to children, to institutions, or to ideas — to name only a few possibilities.
Love is spiritual. Thus, it is neither earthly nor divine. Instead it mediates between these two seemingly separate realms. Love moves us to bring our ideas into tangible practices. Love directs our earthly endeavours towards our spiritual growth.
Which of love’s developmental steps is most present to you this year? How does love motivate you? How does love contribute to your spiritual growth?
***This is the first in a seven-week series of posts recognizing the annual Jewish journey of the “Omer.” This year I will be exploring the sefirot, spiritual qualities, through the ideas of great philosophers.
Image: chabad.org
You ask hard questions, Laura. I’ve been thinking about this for a few days and could not answer your question. I then focused on understanding why I couldn’t answer it.
I realized that I don’t believe that any developmental stage theory can be applied in a linear fashion. We move up and down, betwixt and between levels and often find ourselves at more than one level at a time.
Presently my love matures in appreciation of people’s souls and the beauty of the natural world. Both contribute to my spiritual growth. I attempt to gift people with Hashem’s presence through acts of human kindness. I am continually reminded of the depth and breath of Ayn Sof in the natural world. This motivates my engagement in environmental practices and actions.
Whew…. I think I rewrote this about a dozen times.
This is a really beautiful reflection, Leora, and one encompassing multiple perspectives. Thank you.
In one of my classes this term, we had a discussion about stages of spiritual development. One of the younger adult students asked about it, and the older students responded that they continue to change and pause and different points, but not in a linear way.