La llama doble is a magnificent essay in which the Mexican Nobel laureate takes a fascinating journey through history regarding the notions of love that have existed in the East and the West, as well as the relationship between love, eroticism, and sexuality. But above all, it is the author's personal vision of love. The love he speaks of is the romantic love between partners, the true love, "the mysterious passionate inclination towards a single person" (p. 34). It can only be called love if there is a connection with sex and eroticism, and he explains it thus: "sex is the root, eroticism is the stem, and love is the flower" (p. 37), three inseparable concepts that are "manifestations of what we call life" (p. 13).

Love is a double experience of two beings who participate in it. "The original and primordial fire, sexuality, raises the red flame of eroticism (imagination/intellect), and this in turn sustains the other blue and tremulous flame, that of love. Eroticism and love: the double flame of life" (p. 7). However, between the physical and spiritual attraction of two beings who love each other, there is the search for reciprocity, and it is also irremediably subject to time, accidents: changes such as falling out of love, illness, and death. "All love, even the happiest, is tragic" (p. 111).

The essay also details the literature and poetry of love and finally the philosophical theories that have explored the origin of life. In the last part of the book, Octavio Paz reflects on religion and scientific knowledge: the Big-Bang theory, black holes, artificial intelligence, and neurological construction (Edelman and Sacks). He also talks about dehumanization, materialism, the evils (political - tyranny -, economic, moral, and spiritual) that afflict modern society. Perhaps an invitation to continue reflecting on what it means to be a "human person" and its future, and to include the idea of love as a positive, salvific, and vindicating source of humanity.

For me, the sensitive reality has always been a source of surprises. But also of evidences.

In an article from 1940, I referred to poetry as "the testimony of the senses". True testimony - its images are palpable, visible and audible.

Surely, poetry is made up of chained words that send us reflections, flashes and sparks - are they realities or mirages? Rimbaud said: Et j'ai vu quelquefois ce que l'homme a cru voir. A combination between seeing and believing.

In the conjunction of these two words lies the secret of poetry and that of its testimonies: what poetry shows us we do not see with the physical eyes, but with the eyes of the spirit.

Poetry makes us touch the impalpable and listen to the waves of silence that cover a landscape devastated by insomnia. The poetic testimony reveals to us another world within this world, another world that is this world.

Without losing their powers, the senses become the servants of the imagination and make us hear the inaudible and see the imperceptible.

Moreover, doesn't the same thing happen in dreams and in erotic encounters? In dreams, as in ecstasy, we embrace phantoms. Our couple has a body, a face and a name, but its concrete reality, at the most intense moment of the embrace, dissipates in a cascade of sensations that, in turn, dissipate.

There is a question that all lovers ask themselves, and in it the mystery of the erotic is condensed: who are you? A question without an answer... The senses are and are not from this world. Through them, poetry throws a bridge between seeing and believing. On this bridge, the imagination gains a body, and the bodies become images.

There are those books to which you always return. These are the kind of books that have a special charm and hold a dear place in your heart. They are not just ordinary reads but rather companions that have accompanied you through different phases of your life.

Perhaps it is the captivating story that keeps pulling you back, or the well-developed characters that you have grown to love and understand. Maybe it is the beautiful language and the way the author weaves words together to create a vivid and immersive world.

Whatever the reason may be, these books have a power that cannot be denied. They offer comfort, inspiration, and a sense of familiarity.每当你翻开它们，就仿佛回到了一个温暖的港湾，远离了外界的喧嚣和纷扰。它们是你心灵的寄托，是你永远的宝藏。

Love is exclusive; charity is not. Preferring one person among others is a sin against charity. This statement presents a profound contrast between the nature of love and charity. Love often has a specific object, and it is natural to have a special affection for someone. However, charity, on the other hand, is a more inclusive and selfless virtue. It requires us to show kindness and concern for all people, without discrimination or preference. When we prefer one person over others, we may be acting out of self-interest or partiality, rather than true charity. This can lead to unfairness and inequality, and it goes against the spirit of charity. Therefore, we should strive to cultivate both love and charity in our lives, while being mindful of the differences between them. We should love those close to us deeply, but also extend our charity to all those in need, regardless of who they are.

There is no remedy for time.

Or, at least, we do not know what it is. But we must trust in the flow of time, we must live.

Time is an inescapable force that governs our lives. We are time and cannot escape its dominion.

However, we can transfigure it. We can make it beautiful and meaningful through our actions and creations.

This is what the great artists, poets, philosophers, scientists, and certain men of action have done.

Love, too, is an answer. Because it is time and made of time, love is at once consciousness of death and an attempt to make of the instant an eternity.

All loves are ill-starred, because all are made of time, all are the fragile bond between two temporal creatures who know they are going to die.

But in all loves, even the most tragic, there is an instant of happiness that it is no exaggeration to call superhuman.

It is a victory over time, a glimpse of the other side, of the there that is a here, where nothing changes and everything that is, truly is.

We must cherish these instants of happiness and use them to give meaning to our lives.

For in the end, time may be unforgiving, but our memories and the love we have shared will always remain.

One of the most important books that I have read is this one.

This was my second reading of it. Paz wrote it in the evening of his life, and it takes us to understand the origin of love as we know it.

The book delves deep into the essence of love, exploring its various aspects and manifestations. It makes us reflect on our own experiences of love and how it has shaped our lives.

Paz's writing is profound and thought-provoking, and his insights into the nature of love are truly remarkable.

Each time I read this book, I discover something new and gain a deeper understanding of this complex and beautiful emotion.

It is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who is interested in exploring the mysteries of love.

Buen libro. It has its merits and demerits. The last two chapters, where it discusses politics and science respectively, seem a bit superfluous. It is unnecessary to read from a man who believes he knows a great deal about everything. His level of ignorance about science, at least, is quite evident. However, aside from that, it is a good essay on love, erotism, and sexuality. The author delves into these complex topics with some interesting perspectives and insights. There are parts that make the reader think deeply about the nature of human relationships and desires. Overall, despite the flaws in the later chapters, the book still manages to offer some valuable food for thought.

Octavio Paz, a renowned figure in the literary world, one day woke up and declared:

"I am Octavio Paz, the Nobel laureate in literature. I believe that the last book I write in my life will be to dissect love."

What is truly amazing is that he actually managed to do it

Una oportunidad para conocer una versión distinta y clara sobre el amor, erotismo y los mitos alredor de estos. Love is a complex and multifaceted emotion that has been explored and written about throughout history. However, this article offers a unique perspective, presenting a distinct and clear version of love, erotism, and the myths that surround them.

It delves into the true nature of love, going beyond the surface-level conceptions and揭示 the deeper aspects that often remain hidden. By examining different cultures and their interpretations of love and erotism, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of these universal themes.

The article also challenges some of the commonly held myths and misconceptions about love and erotism. It presents a more realistic and nuanced view, debunking the romanticized ideals that often cloud our perception. Through this exploration, we are invited to question our own beliefs and assumptions, and to open ourselves up to a new and more profound understanding of these fundamental human experiences.

This is a brilliant collection of essays that truly captivates the reader.

Each essay is a gem, filled with profound insights and engaging ideas.

The authors have done an excellent job of presenting their thoughts in a clear and concise manner, making it easy for the reader to follow along.

The collection covers a wide range of topics, from literature and art to politics and society, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

Whether you are a casual reader or a serious scholar, this collection is sure to provide you with hours of intellectual stimulation.

A review of this collection is forthcoming, but for now, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking read.

Surprisingly difficult but with some powerful
Insights

This statement presents an interesting paradox. On one hand, it acknowledges that something is unexpectedly challenging. This could refer to a wide range of activities, such as learning a new language, solving a complex problem, or mastering a new skill. The difficulty might arise from various factors, such as the complexity of the subject matter, the lack of prior knowledge or experience, or the high level of effort required.

On the other hand, it also mentions that there are some powerful insights to be gained. This implies that despite the difficulties, there is value in persevering. Through the process of grappling with the challenge, one may discover new perspectives, learn important lessons, or develop a deeper understanding of the subject. These insights can then be applied to other areas of life, leading to personal growth and development.

In conclusion, while the journey may be difficult, the rewards of powerful insights make it worthwhile. It is important to approach challenges with an open mind and a willingness to learn, as this can lead to unexpected discoveries and a more fulfilling life.

WOW, this book is fantastic. Octavio Paz, the Mexican Nobel laureate in Literature from 1990, writes about love and provides the reader with an overview of views and backgrounds from the Greeks to the present day. Meanwhile, such books already exist almost inflationarily, but Paz manages, with his poetically literary soil, to illuminate the theme of poetry, which is always also a mirror of an era and the prevailing worldview within it. "The Double Flame" shows that love is always dialectical, regardless of the era. It has always been and is always the both/and: it is flight and fall at the same time, freedom and dependence, life and death. Paz tries to show that love is something indescribable, a passion that arises in the manifold sensations between body and soul - and precisely because of this, love needs, in order to be consciously perceived by humans, a person who has the freedom to decide for love, knowing that love thereby becomes something temporal and thus enters into the personal history that is in any case doomed to death. Dealing with these thoughts, models, and feelings seems to me to be an inner imperative, for the human being only becomes a conscious human being through this freely chosen transient love.