Through a profound personal encounter, Trebbe Johnson discovered that longing is often linked to something greater, and that following that longing, which she calls the Beloved, can lead to a more compassionate -- and passionate -- engagement with the world. Steeped in Western and Eastern myth, romantic imagery, and Jungian psychology, Johnson uses her own story to examine the shared human experience and to help readers understand the underlying meaning and purpose behind their ownlife choices. Though a personal story, the book weaves a modern myth of its own, about the different guises (and occasional disguises) of the Beloved and the obstacles, mirages, enchantments, and treasures encountered on the search for its elusive embrace. With warmth and wisdom, Johnson shows how to overcome those obstacles, embrace the Beloved, and find new meaning at work, in relationships, and in life.