The concept of "Jouissance"

 "Jouissance" is a term used by the French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan to describe a complex and often elusive concept in psychoanalytic theory. The term is often translated as "enjoyment" in English, although it goes beyond the ordinary understanding of pleasure as there is no true "joy".

In Lacanian psychoanalysis, jouissance is explored in SEMINAR 5, changing several times, with further elaboration in SEMINARS 10 and 14. It refers to a kind of excessive and overwhelming enjoyment or pleasure that is often intertwined with pain, anxiety, or a sense of loss. Lacan believed that this form of enjoyment is beyond the pleasure principle outlined by Freud and is linked to the inherent conflict between desire and the symbolic order of language and social structures.

Here are some key points to understand about jouissance:

Excess and Beyond Pleasure: Jouissance goes beyond simple pleasure; it involves an excess that can be both pleasurable and painful simultaneously. It's a surplus that cannot be fully captured by the pleasure principle.

Linked to Desire and Lack: Jouissance is closely tied to Lacan's concept of desire and the sense of lack that is inherent in human experience. The pursuit of jouissance is an attempt to fill this lack, but it remains elusive.

Symbolic Order: Lacan posited that the symbolic order, which includes language, cultural norms, and social structures, imposes limitations on individual desire. The tension between the subject's desire and the constraints of the symbolic order gives rise to jouissance.

Jouissance, is on the other side of desire. In clinical practice, it's "that which returns to the same place". In Freud, repetition. 

Imagine swimming in a turquoise -colored beach, the sun warmly touching your skin, the waves and the beauty of that moment; A true pleasure for some of us. Now imagine that you are somehow in the middle of the ocean and you can't see the sand. That's no longer a pleasure and the place where you want to be is now too far. 

Now, let's consider a clinical example to further illustrate the concept of jouissance :

Clinical Example: The Obsessional Neurotic

Imagine a patient who presents with symptoms of obsessional neurosis. This individual may have obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, and struggles with feelings of guilt or anxiety. In Lacanian terms, the obsessional neurotic seeks jouissance through the attempt to control and order their world.

The obsessive rituals and thoughts can be seen as a way to navigate the conflict between desire and the symbolic order. By engaging in these repetitive actions, the individual attempts to establish a sense of control and mastery over their inner conflicts. However, the more they strive for this control, the more elusive jouissance becomes, leading to a perpetual cycle of desire, lack, and anxiety.

In therapy, understanding the dynamics of jouissance can help the analyst explore the underlying conflicts and help the patient navigate the complexities of desire and the symbolic order. 

It's important to note that the concept of jouissance is intricate and may be interpreted in various ways within the broader context of Lacanian psychoanalysis. Additionally, Lacanian theory is known for its complexity and can be challenging to fully grasp. 

making space for desire ♥

Some people want everything and then when they accumulate things, they don't feel as good as they thought they would feel. 

Jacques Lacan, a prominent figure in the field of psychiatry and psychoanalysis, introduced the concept of lack as a fundamental aspect of human existence. According to Lacanian theory, the human psyche is structured around the idea of a fundamental lack. This lack is not simply a physical or material absence but a symbolic and psychological void that profoundly influences an individual's well-being and sense of identity. Understanding the concept of lack and its impact is essential to grasp Lacan's complex ideas about the human psyche and its relation to well-being.

The Mirror Stage:

Lacan's concept of lack begins with the mirror stage, a critical phase in a child's development, usually occurring between six and eighteen months of age. During this stage, the child recognizes their image in a mirror and identifies with it as a cohesive, whole self. However, the child's perception of wholeness is illusory, as it does not match the fragmented reality of their being.

Desire and the Other:

Lacan argues that this initial experience of wholeness is followed by the realization of a lack, a sense that something essential is missing within oneself. This lack arises from the infant's dependency on others, particularly the primary caregiver (often the mother), for their needs and desires to be fulfilled. The Other, in Lacanian terms, refers to the person or entity who has the power to fulfill those needs, but they also represent a source of separation and frustration due to their inability to satisfy all desires fully.

The Symbolic Order:

The lack experienced by the child leads to the formation of the symbolic order, a system of language and cultural symbols that mediate between the individual and the world. The symbolic order shapes how individuals perceive themselves and their place in society, but it also introduces a sense of alienation and incompleteness.

Desire and Unattainability:

In Lacanian theory, desire is not about obtaining what is lacking; rather, it is the pursuit of an unattainable object. The object of desire remains elusive, as its satisfaction would mean the end of desire itself. This perpetual longing for fulfillment and the impossibility of its achievement can impact an individual's well-being, leading to frustration, anxiety, and a constant sense of unfulfillment.

Impact on Well-being:

The concept of lack profoundly affects an individual's well-being by shaping their relationship with themselves, others, and the world. The feeling of incompleteness and the search for the unattainable can lead to feelings of existential angst and a sense of alienation from oneself and others. It can also contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

Desire and Fantasy:

Lacan suggests that individuals attempt to fill the void of lack through fantasy. Fantasies provide a way to imagine a sense of wholeness and satisfaction, even if they remain unfulfilled in reality. While fantasies can serve as coping mechanisms, they can also become sources of suffering if they persistently reinforce the unattainability of desires.

Therapeutic Implications:

In Lacanian psychoanalysis, addressing the concept of lack is crucial for therapeutic progress. Understanding how the lack shapes an individual's desires, fantasies, and self-perception can help uncover underlying emotional conflicts and provide insights into the root causes of psychological distress. By exploring and integrating the concept of lack into therapy, individuals may find greater acceptance of their inherent incompleteness and develop healthier ways of coping with desires and frustrations.

In conclusion, Jacques Lacan's concept of lack is a central pillar of his psychoanalytic theory, profoundly impacting an individual's well-being and self-understanding. The experience of lack, desire, and the perpetual pursuit of the unattainable shapes how individuals perceive themselves and their place in the world. Acknowledging and addressing this lack can have therapeutic implications, offering opportunities for self-awareness, growth, and a more nuanced understanding of human subjectivity and well-being.

words on love

I've been away on a little trip and I've had time to think and time to listen. I've come across some interesting people and read some great articles on love and relationships that I want to share with you.

Freud said that when we fall in love, we fall for a reflection of ourselves. We love, in the other person, those aspects that are very similar to ours. Love, for Freud, is illusory and based on narcissism. Of course that kind of love only lasts for a while but, how do we continue to love our partner once we are past that stage? Love, as we know, has to evolve, to mature. Jacques Lacan said that love is giving our partner what we don't have. Which means: to love is to recognize your lack and give it to the other, place it in the other. It’s not giving what you possess, goods and presents, it’s giving something else that you don’t possess, which goes beyond you. Our own flaws are involved and that is how we love, with our flaws. He also stated that we love someone who really isn't who we think he is, reminding us to be aware that a lot of narcissism goes into love.

Nick Paumgaiten wrote in "Looking for Someone" in The New Yorker Magazine, an article referred to contemporary love and the ways people use the internet in search of a companion. He comments on the work of Gian Gónzaga who runs a site called eHarmony. It seems that this site, which is used to pair people up, was born after many years of interviewing couples. By watching the way they interact, they can predict wether the relationship is going to work out or not. They look for specific traits: How do you treat your partner? How are your comments? Are they positive? Are they negative? Are they assuring? Do you underestimate your partner? Do you use humor in order to bring up issues that trouble you? Can you use humor in a positive way? Can you create constructive solutions to your issues? Do you have problems solving skills? Who has them? One? or both?
They say that sometimes, you mate with someone you think is right for you but in reality he or she is not. All goes well until some kind of incompatibility arises: "Incompatibility can often be unperceivable until a couple is subjected to some kind of difficulty of the world's devising: problems involving health, money, children or work". They blame stress for it, of course, but I see it with a different light: situations start becoming more real, narcissism fades away with time. What now? I think it is at this point where a lot of couples split up. They trick themselves into thinking they will be better off alone or with someone that will provide another narcissistic high for them.

Dan Savage, expresses his view in July 3rd, New York Times Sunday Magazine article "Infidelity Keeps us Together". He argues that in his relationship what has kept him bound to his partner was his and her honesty and allowing each other to have sex encounters with other people from time to time.

Dan Savage writes a column for Seattle's The Stranger, called "Savage Love", very contemporary indeed but my thinking is more along the line of Lisa Appignanesi's, author of "All about Love". In an interview in this month's issue of Elle Magazine by Ben Dickinson, she says: "Marriage is interesting now because we want so much out of it, and it's strains are therefore telling, so we develop huge resources of invention and patience and durability to make it work ... You don't want to just say 'Nothing is good if it doesn't have a positive ending or it's only good if it's easy and smooth and always happy'".

In this space, we are always looking out for people that we consider that stand out in their personal fulfillment, we have mainly written about artists. We think that we, as human beings, are the only ones in command of the relationships we seek, we build, we nourish, we surround ourselves with. Once we find the right match, it is up to us to drive the relationship to its best state and because the skills it requires, anyone that believes to be constantly contributing in that sense, we consider an achiever (no need to be famous, just proud). Cheers to you then.



Post: Vale Mendez Cañas
Photo: Mich