What are the “secrets to success” for dating, marriages, and relationships? In this episode, Dr. Greg discusses the profound and practical wisdom in JP2’s book Love and Responsibility. Part 4 of our series on the psychology of Pope John Paul II. 

 

Discussed in this episode:

• Personalistic norm: the most misunderstood principle in marriages and family dynamics
• A surprising and different way to understand love
• Dating mistake: Why it is backwards to look for the right person with a list of checkboxes
• The one question to ask during dating and the discernment of marriage
• Why a spouse’s infidelity does not change your vow or “break the marriage”
• Using a person as a means to an end vs loving a person 
• Sexual complementarity and the two dualist errors harming marriages: rigorism and libidinism
• Tenderness: JP2 takes us a step further than empathy in relationships
• The correct understanding of “marriage as a remedy of concupiscence” 

Resources mentioned or relevant: 

• Love and Responsibility by Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II)
• Series on the psychology of JP2:
  • Episode 180: The Psychology of JP2: A Bold Proposal
  • Episode 182: Delving Deep into the Human Experience
  • Episode 183: The Lead Domino Effect: Transformation Begins with a Blueprint
• Resources on dating and marriage:
  • Marriage Mini-Course: A Free CatholicPsych Resource
  • Episode 127: “I’m Gonna Want to Divorce You”
  • Episode 131: The #1 Threat to Marriage
  • Blog article: The One Most Important Quality to Look for in a Spouse
  • Episode 122: There Is No Real Marriage Therapy
• Learn more about gender complementarity:
  • Blog article: Celebrating the Differences of Men and Women
  • Blog article: God Created Us to Need Each Other
  • Episode 149: A New Approach to the Gender Crisis
  • 4-part series on Gender Fluidity or Complementarity?
• How does the error of dualism impact your life?
  • Blog article: You’re No Angel, But Neither Am I
  • Blog article: Who Are We? And What Heals Us?
  • Episode 41: What Is Integration Anyway?
• Learn more about JP2’s Theology of the Body:
  • Man and Woman He Created Them (original text by JP2)
  • Theology of the Body Explained by Christopher West
  • TOB Books and Resources by Jason Evert
  • Theology of the Body Institute 
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• Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, courses, prayer resources, and more
• Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE’s - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more!
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