The Divine Harmony of Admiration and Adoration: A Mystical Understanding of Love and Intelligence in Sacred Union

In the teachings of Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin, the mystical philosopher often referred to as Le Philosophe Inconnu, human relationships, particularly marriage, are seen as profound avenues for spiritual growth and transformation. Saint-Martin’s reflections on the complementary roles of men and women offer a unique perspective on how the union of two individuals mirrors a divine balance, with the interplay of admiration, adoration, intelligence, and love playing a central role in this sacred connection.

Admiration and Adoration: Two Spiritual Forces

Saint-Martin begins with the assertion that human thought feeds on admiration, while the heart thrives on adoration and love. These two sacred privileges—admiration and adoration—are divided between men and women. Men, he argues, are more inclined toward admiration, while women are naturally disposed to adoration. Both admiration and adoration are not just emotional states; they are vital spiritual forces that guide human beings toward the divine.

Admiration, in Saint-Martin’s view, is the deep intellectual and contemplative response to the mysteries of existence. It is closely tied to thought, reason, and the capacity to stand in awe of the world’s intricacies. This mode of relating is more commonly found in men, who engage with life by seeking to understand, analyze, and appreciate the grandeur of creation. Admiration is an expression of man’s yearning for higher knowledge and insight, a drive to comprehend the divine through reflection and awe.

Adoration, on the other hand, is a more emotionally resonant force, characterized by deep devotion, love, and a sense of surrender to something greater. It flows from the heart and manifests as a profound spiritual love for the divine and for life itself. Women, Saint-Martin suggests, are more naturally attuned to this mode of being. Their spiritual path is often one of love and devotion, where their connection to the world is felt deeply through affection, care, and an intuitive sense of reverence for the sacred.

Intelligence and Love: The Keys to Divine Union

In the sacred union of marriage, these two forces—admiration and adoration—become intertwined, giving rise to a higher form of unity. Saint-Martin speaks of this union as a perfecting process, where the man, who is inclined toward admiration and intelligence, is balanced by the woman’s natural disposition toward adoration and love. The result is a harmonious exchange where each person supplies what the other lacks, leading to mutual spiritual growth.

Intelligence in this context refers to more than just intellectual prowess; it is the capacity for clear insight, discernment, and understanding of the deeper laws that govern life. In a marriage, the man brings this intelligence, helping to guide and enlighten the relationship. His intelligence, fueled by admiration, seeks to elevate his partner by introducing reason, structure, and contemplation into the relationship. However, intelligence alone can become cold or detached without the warmth of love.

Love, as understood by Saint-Martin, is the unifying force that binds the hearts of individuals to each other and to the divine. It is the emotional and spiritual glue that makes intelligence fruitful. In the sacred bond of marriage, the woman, with her natural inclination toward love and adoration, brings this vital energy into the relationship, infusing it with warmth, compassion, and a sense of deep connection. Her love complements the man’s intelligence, transforming cold logic into wisdom filled with empathy.

The Spiritual Significance of Marriage

Saint-Martin expands on the immense importance of marriage, calling it the "basis of all political associations, all moral laws." Marriage, he suggests, is not only central to the fabric of society but is also a reflection of the spiritual state of humanity. In his words, marriage links "heaven, earth, and hell" together, capable of determining "the happiness or misery of all it embraces." It is the conduit through which both harmony and discord flow, and the sanctity of this union carries weight both spiritually and practically.

Through marriage, man and woman engage in a spiritual exchange that transcends mere physical companionship. The man, in his admiration, receives the love he lacks, and the woman, in her adoration, gains the intelligence she seeks. Saint-Martin emphasizes that this divine interplay brings them back to their original spiritual unity. However, he also warns that sin has corrupted this sacred bond, leaving both partners spiritually fractured, and thus requiring them to actively seek out holy unity through their relationship.

He profoundly remarks: "If mankind knew what marriage really was, how they would at once desire it exceedingly, and fear it! For it is possible for a man to become divine again through marriage, or to go through it to perdition." Saint-Martin stresses the need for prayer within marriage, suggesting that through prayer, couples may "recover possession of the garden of Eden," signifying the potential for spiritual regeneration through the marital bond.

The Mystical Union: Returning to Unity

The union of admiration and adoration in marriage is ultimately a return to the "ineffable law of Unity." Saint-Martin believed that through the sacred marriage, men and women could recover the divine balance that mirrors the original harmony between love and intelligence. It is through this process that they can rediscover their shared connection to a higher spiritual source.

As Saint-Martin elaborates, human beings are unique in their ability to admire and love, and these capacities serve as a reflection of their superiority over nature. This inherent privilege also points to a deeper truth—that there is a "permanent Source of admiration and adoration" that calls forth these qualities in us. By aligning with this Source, which is the divine itself, we become aware of the profound spiritual relationship we have with it.

In marriage, this alignment is essential. The man, embodying intelligence and admiration, and the woman, embodying love and adoration, are called to support one another in a holy interchange. The woman must return to the man from whom she came, and the man must uphold her with the strength she has been separated from. Together, they must recover the love and unity they were divinely created to embody, moving toward a spiritual wholeness that mirrors their original state.

Conclusion: The Spiritual Practice of Marriage

Saint-Martin’s mystical teachings on marriage offer profound insights into the spiritual and practical dimensions of relationships. By understanding the roles of admiration and adoration, intelligence and love, we can appreciate marriage not just as a social bond but as a spiritual practice—a path toward divine unity. The stakes are high, as Saint-Martin warns: marriage can either lead to spiritual transformation or contribute to further degradation.

Yet, for those who approach marriage with reverence, love, and prayer, there is the promise of returning to the Edenic state—a state of divine harmony, where love and intelligence are balanced and intertwined. Through this sacred union, men and women have the potential to transcend the limitations of this world, rediscover their divine nature, and fulfill the ultimate purpose of their existence.