Trouble In Love—Why Is There So Much of It?
First presented in a public seminar at the Aesthetic Realism Foundation, New York City.

With crystal clear logic and kindness, Aesthetic Realism explains what love is and why there is so much trouble about it. In an issue of The Right of Aesthetic Realism to Be Known titled "What Opposes Love?" Eli Siegel explained:

Love is either a possibility of seeing the world differently because something different from ourselves is seen as needed and lovely; or it is an extension of our imperialistic approval of ourselves in such a way that we have a carnal satellite.

The answer, then, to the question: What opposes love? is: the narrow self opposes love, with its great continual treasure, contempt.

Like many women, I did use men for that "imperialistic approval." I saw love as in a separate, exciting world where a man would make me the most important thing, giving me constant adoration. I didn't know that this way of seeing men was the very reason every relationship I had failed, and why I felt colder, harder and more despairing about love with each year.

I'm very proud that what I've learned from Aesthetic Realism changed me so deeply, making it possible for me really to love a man—my husband Bennett Cooperman, who is an Aesthetic Realism consultant and actor.

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