Eros in everyday living: Sensuousness can heal ecological destruction

• Main Author: Peracullo, Jeane C.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2008
• Subjects: Erotica; Arts and Humanities; Philosophy
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/13601
• Institution: De La Salle University

Plato had skillfully spun Eros into something that speaks of desire only as the quest for the One, the True, the Good and the Beautiful. Of course these are all rational undertakings to be achieved when one has mastery over one's body, which is tempered by countless hours of gymnastics and sports, and possession of a sharp, penetrating mind attuned to reflections of perfect geometry. But what about eroticism in everyday life? What about the intense desire that is embodied, carnal and personal? But Eros has a different meaning that is pre-Plato. The word erotic comes from the Greek word Eros, the personification of love in all aspects born of Chaos, and personifying creative power and harmony. I believe that everything is in fact permeated with sensuousness owing to our possession of bodies. What if we appeal to this fundamental physiological as well as psychological makeup? Don't we all share this basic sensuousness and we respond accordingly when this is provoked and encouraged? Recovering, re-envisioning Eros has implications to Earth-care as well. When we celebrate the body in the way that shows self-care and compassion; indeed, when one is accepting of one's own eroticism, the world begins to change. Our Earth benefits surely from a more embodied thinking, feeling and doing.