Expression of different kinds of love and their transformation in the interpretative encounter in the group

Abstract

Gadamerian concepts are combined with historic and group analytic conceptualizations to understand and modify expressions of different kinds of love in a long-term group. Vignettes are presented. In the interpretative encounter, affective, empathic, cultural and other resonances emerged. Through dialogue, new understanding occurred in the group about dangerous, romantic, unhealthy, narcissistic, intoxicating, unrequited, ecclesial and sexual love, which are influenced by prejudices/prejudgments, language, ideologies, tradition and (historic) horizons. Group love developed. My own positionality contributed to this process. A fusion of horizons was not always possible. Nevertheless, new understanding of sexualities, prostitution, marriage and romantic relationships was achieved in the group. I have introduced a rudimentary hermeneutic framework, which shows how prejudgments and faulty/ negative resonances of love can be modified or transformed. However, this circle is continuously ‘effected by historic un/consciousness’ and therefore never complete.