Erotics: Debunked
We all know the topics of self-love, self-care, self-worth, romanticizing your life, prioritizing your pleasure, etc.
Do we know that these practices are actually facets of what we would consider the erotic to be today? In these practices, we are creating a beautiful relationship with the energy of love. We are cultivating that love as a source within rather than seeking it outside of ourselves, which is something a lot of us are used to.
When we hear the word ‘erotic’ what do we usually think of? Search the word ‘erotic’ on Google, and watch what appears.
There is a huge misconception that the erotic only adheres to things of a sexual, pornographic nature. We define erotic as the igniting of sexual acts. This greatly distorts the power of our full erotic nature as human beings.
The etymology behind the word has been suggested to stem from a reference to Eros, and also derived from the Greek verb, eramai, which means to love. Eros was one of the many children of Aphrodite, called the Erotes. If we look a little deeper, Eros actually represent only one type of love. It is true that Eros represents passionate, sexual love or desire. However, if we look at the rest of the Erotes, we notice that the Erotes actually represent many different forms of love. Let’s take a look:
Anteros -> The god of mutual or “returned” love
Himeros -> The god of unrequited love
Pothos -> The god of yearning or longing
Hedylogos -> The god of sweet-talk
It wasn’t until the 19th and 20th century, with the introduction of Freudian psychology, that eros later became associated with the desire to live and create life.
Depending on who we have learned about the erotic from greatly determines whether we see it as a primordial gift, or a huge taboo.
As I was studying with the Somatic Institute for Women, I was introduced to the erotic as a source of natural, creative power. My initial understanding had me feeling extremely uncomfortable with the thought of it. I felt rigid in my body.
We were asked to listen to Audre Lorde’s read of the Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power, which I will link here:
https://youtu.be/aWmq9gw4Rq0?si=wTMc5SAytWB73CKt
Never have I ever understood the depth and benefit of the erotic like I have after listening to Audre share her perspective on its usage.
It’s our natural power. It’s the energy and essence that flows through all of life. Our relationship with our eros acts as a compass of sorts. We are able to define what in our life is life-affirming, and what in our life is life-diminishing. We give ourselves a beautiful opportunity to create our lives from the seat of pleasure rather than sheer obligation.
We give our senses it’s power back, allowing our body’s wisdom to be integrated with our mental wisdom and spiritual wisdom.
We reclaim the entirety of the human experience.
How does the word ‘erotic’ land for you?
I hope to expand more on this topic as I continue to learn myself!
Thanks for reading <3
CREDITS:
https://www.greece-is.com/word-history-a-look-at-eros-and-love-in-ancient-greece/#:~:text=Eros%20%E2%80%93%20from%20the%20ancient%20Greek,a%20sexual%20or%20passionate%20way).
