The erotic is the source of all life. It is the force that drives human existence. Without it, nothing would exist. Erotic desire is an integral part of being alive. It has always been a central concern of philosophers, from Aristotle to Heidegger. But what exactly is this phenomenon? What makes it so important? How does it relate to our search for meaning and fulfillment? These are some of the questions that have puzzled many thinkers throughout history.
Erotic longing is a powerful urge. It can be both pleasurable and painful. It can cause one to feel empty, incomplete, lonely, or frustrated. It can also lead to feelings of ecstasy, joy, satisfaction, or love. This is why the experience of erotic longing is often compared to spirituality. Both involve a sense of something missing, something lacking, something yearning to be filled.
But there is more to it than that. When we talk about erotic longing, we are talking about much more than just physical attraction or sexual desire. We are talking about something deeper, something more profound. We are talking about a feeling of emptiness, a need for completion, a sense of something missing in our lives. In other words, we are talking about a longing for wholeness.
This longing for wholeness is not limited to sex or relationships. It is a fundamental aspect of our human condition. It is the reason why we seek out love, friendship, work, art, and religion. It is the reason why we strive for perfection, achievement, and self-actualization. It is the reason why we try to make sense of the world around us.
The existentialists believed that the human being is fundamentally alone in the universe. They saw life as absurd, irrational, and meaningless. But they also saw that this very absence of meaning could be transformed into meaning itself through creative expression, authentic living, and self-acceptance. This is what Sartre called "being-for-itself." The individual creates meaning by choosing to be responsible for their own existence.
When we feel erotically incomplete, we may turn to others for fulfillment. We may try to fill the void with romantic love, sexual pleasure, or intimacy. But these are always temporary solutions.
We must find wholeness within ourselves. Only then can we truly experience true satisfaction.
Erotic longing is a reminder that we are all connected to each other. It is a reminder that we need one another to complete ourselves. When we connect with someone else on an emotional level, we experience a sense of unity and togetherness. We feel like we belong to something larger than ourselves. This is why sex can be so powerful. It can create a feeling of union between two people.
But it can also lead to disappointment and frustration. The quest for wholeness never ends. No matter how much we achieve or accomplish, there will always be more to do. There will always be new desires, new needs, new experiences. And yet, this is precisely what makes life worth living.
The search for completion is not about finding perfection or flawlessness. It is about accepting our imperfections and embracing them. It is about being authentic, vulnerable, and open. It is about loving ourselves and those around us without conditions. It is about recognizing that we are all works in progress, always becoming who we were meant to be.
Erotic longing mirrors the existential search for completeness because both involve a fundamental sense of yearning and desire. Both require us to face the reality of death and transience. Both challenge us to accept our limitations and embrace the unknown. And both offer us the possibility of transformation and growth.
How does the psychological experience of erotic longing mirror the existential search for completeness?
In terms of its core characteristics, erotic longing is defined as a state of intense desire that typically involves the physical, mental, and emotional components. From a psychological perspective, it can be regarded as an innate need that drives individuals towards satisfying their sexual needs through relationships with others (Buss & Schmitt, 1993). Existentialism, on the other hand, refers to philosophical concepts related to human existence and self-awareness.