David:
I did walk away, actually. The only time I fell in love was with a girl called Tracey, back in my early twenties. I ended up leaving her after a couple of years, even though we were still very much in love, because I wanted to focus more heavily on philosophy. I was very much inspired by Kierkegaard at the time, particularly his decision to break off his engagement with Regina in similar circumstances (I cannot thank you enough, Soren!).
Now I know you really are taking the piss.
You fell into 'the burning ring of Fire' with Trace for 2 years...exploited your passion voluptuosly...had your way voluminously...and walked away as an Heroic Gesture to Philosophy!
Like a Sporting Hero...I bowled a maiden over and won the match!...
(only kidding, I'm sure the severing was painful...but it is hilarious)
The 'Ring of Fire' is pretty much a heap of Ash after 2 years in the experience as told by most observers.
Kierkeggard struggled with the 'bug' in the height of it's frenzy..his passion unrequited...
Agonisingly teetering between the psyche's inborn sexual drive and his 'reason'...
The perception that life with Regina as Bondage and escape from Regina as Freedom...
He lay in bed at night for many moons wimpering, crying and calling her name...
It's a powerful instinct.
The Cathars in 9th Century France played with the romance energy in this way...
They went about town, interacting with the Ladies and when the 'bug' bit...the endorphins flowed...they would conduct a very slow, spacious Courtship...the Rule was to never 'bed the wench'....the purpose was to keep the energy alive in their psyche's for as long as possible...as a catalyst for Spiritual Growth...'bedding the wench' ruined it...
Geoffrey of Monmouth used their approach in his Grail Stories where you have knights roaming about the domain looking for damsels in distress...laying down the 'white glove' at the Ladies feet and enquiring 'how may I serve thee?'...but never bedding them...
The Grail symbolising the feminine/receptive to which a Man connected and reinvigorated his anima...
There's a guy in my town who volunteers in the Outreach Centre...when a young, frail, battle weary, female blonde heroin junkie comes in for rescue...he's on to it..it's this type that turns on his instinct...
He spends months with her, organising her rehab, diet requirements, accommodation, motivating her, guiding her thru' her relapses...he never 'beds the wench'...he takes this 'sexual charge' home and meditates thru' the night seeking healing and integration...
frank