Introduction

Psychoanalytic Perspectives continues to grow out of our desire to create a forum that looks at analytic life from many perspectives. We intend to publish material that is stimulating, inspiring, and sometimes (dare we say it?) just fun. We wish to engage our readers along a broad spectrum of our mutual analytically informed interests and concerns.

In that vein, the second issue includes a groundbreaking discussion of the interface between political life and psychoanalysis conducted by a stellar group of panelists in our interview section. This is followed by: a rich commentary on the development of the relationship between mothers and sons by a leading feminist theorist, the first published poetry of a venerated colleague, a beautifully written book review by a spiritually oriented analyst exploring the new book—Psychoanalysis and Buddhism: An Unfolding Dialogue, and an engrossing review that captures the spirit of the N.I.P. conference on “Shame and Sexuality.”

Our continuing evolution will be influenced by your responses. We hope to excite your desire to contribute your thoughts and experience in forms that feel appropriate to you. We encourage you to express yourself through scholarly articles, essays, poetry, short fiction, and innovative forms we may not yet have considered. We welcome critical or thought-provoking letters to the editors. Through your participation, we look forward to an enriching collaboration.