What is your personal definition of lust? Is it a good or bad thing?
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M$8 Answers
I don't particularly see lust in terms of "good or evil", because the virtue of the action is contingent upon the virtue of the individual performing the action. Lust can motivate people to do great acts of good or vile acts of evil, sometimes even both, but Lust itself is virtueless and viceless. It's merely a concept, simple yet very profound. It takes on only the attributes that we give it, through our thoughts and our actions.
I don't believe people are likely to evolve past lust anytime soon, as it is a driving force in so many of the things they do, and takes on so many forms in the world. I do believe, however, that so long as living creatures exist, they will continue to keep trying to satiate their lust however and whenever they can.
Personal opinion and belief
Photo "Love and Lust", a painting by 19th century painter Simeon Solomon (date of painting unknown), courtesy of http://www.simeonsolomon.org
(Hopefully the painting won't be in violation of Mahalo policy, since it does contain some nudity, but I figured I'd put it on there because it does a good job of illustrating my point, I think. If it's a problem, let me know and I'll remove it.)
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M$If you can hold it, you will not be affected, by this sin.
Well...I'm a sinner, I have a weak character and lust is one of my sins.
But look on the bright side. I am not afraid to admit it! :D
@vladis
me
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M$
Good. I don't think anyone should ever be afraid to admit something even if it is considered a sin in some eyes.
To me lust is a burning passion, even if you are truly in love with someone lust is more of what your body craves then your heart and mind. Lust is the burn between two people when they touch or when their eyes meet and both parties can see the depth and nothing else.
Thanks for answering!
Hmmm...I'm running a different blog, which is not allowing me to post things like this, but...now that you're asking...I wonder, could I post these kind of stuff? Lol. Well...I answered to this question on Mahalo, that means, I can post it to a future blog too...:P
If @lilyloretta was here...you could see a different point of view...:)))
I know...I miss my Lily....I miss her very very much it makes me sad that she disappeared...What blog site do you use? Maybe I can check one out and get something started and see if anyone becomes interested.
Me too....I have been tempted so many times to just start a blog or something and everyday write my own opinions on different things including words and everyday happenings, what they mean to me mentally and physically and all the detail I could muster. I just don't know who would read it, how I would spread the word and if that would even be of interest to anyone...One persons random opinions...how appealing is that to the people?
I knew in my mind there was a difference but my body was ill-informed and inexperienced. Too often I pursued relationships for the "burn" and couldn't see real love for it's lack of fire.
I've since experienced the difference but it's taken many more years to completely let go of the burn in favor of the soothing, sweet, gentle reality of true love.
For me Lust was always a bad thing. It burned a hole in my heart and soul that could never be filled. It's the lie that true love can never be. Sadly it's an underlying force in many people's relationships, a close relative of jealousy and gossip.
The only "good" thing that came from Lust was learning that true love was nothing like it and I'm glad to finally be rid of it. Every now and then I feel the embers begging to be stoked but I refuse to give it any fuel at all. I'm happier for it and so is my marriage.
In my own experience Lust is addictive. Getting over it required a modified 12 step approach for me. It took 2 years of work but the beast has been cowed and is back where it belongs. I'm 9 years sober and going strong.
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M$
Congrats! Lust is definetly different for everyone. I'm glad you were able to get it under control...
@vladis Thanks, man. I do my best, because I really believe that this concept of making information free represents probably the only real Revolution that stands a chance of changing the fundamental framework of American society. I've always believed that a Revolution can only be accomplished via education, so I think its great that sites exist that take the information out of the iron grasp of Old-World capitalists and put it into the hands of the masses instead. I'm all for it.
And at @tealmyster I think it has something to do with the fact that I spend 5/7 of my week in ancient China (making an audiobook that takes place there). I've developed sort of an affinity for Confucian virtues like self-cultivation, and my studies of metaphysics over the years have led me to believe that no energy can be good or evil, but only channeled to be so. Operating on that premise, I always attempt to find ways to channel it into positive things rather than negative ones, so that positive energies will come back to me, and the cycle is complete.
(Edit - I just realized that I posted this comment to the wrong post. Sorry about that.)
Own opinion.
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M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
One thing that I find most interesting is that some define lust as a sin and some do not. I personally don't I think it's perfectly natural and there is nothing wrong with it, given you don't allow it to control you....But yes sexual obsession can get you in serious trouble in many many ways.
Thanks for answering!
But then , even if testosterone results in the production of the neurotransmitters adrenaline and noradrenaline generating a sensation of physical attraction , if there is simultaneous secretion of oxytocin and vasopressin , then this may eventually lead to love and attachment. I know this is too vague to explain how lust is any different from love , but this is my attempt to discern one from the other based on physiology of the body when there is attraction.
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M$
I realized that I didn't answer the second part of the question. In his book "Think and grow rich" Napoleon hill had a chapter "The mystery of sex transmutation" where he described sexual energy as a creative energy of all geniuses and that the desire for sexual expression is one of the most powerful stimuli of the mind. He went on to name some famous personalities like Washington, Bonaparte, Lincoln and Shakespeare who harnessed sexual energy and used it as a driving force to achieve greatness. In my opinion, lust, by itself, is neither good nor bad. It depends on the individual concerned whether she or he uses it as a driving force or indulges in immoral activities under the influence of lust.
-quote-
Bible Dictionary
Lust
sinful longing; the inward sin which leads to the falling away from God (Rom. 1:21). "Lust, the origin of sin, has its place in the heart, not of necessity, but because it is the centre of all moral forces and impulses and of spiritual activity." In Mark 4:19 "lusts" are objects of desire.
-end of quote-
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lust
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M$
1. Intense or unrestrained sexual craving.
1. An overwhelming desire or craving: a lust for power.
2. Intense eagerness or enthusiasm: a lust for life.
3. Obsolete. Pleasure; relish.
intr.v., lust·ed, lust·ing, lusts.
To have an intense or obsessive desire, especially one that is sexual.
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M$
I was looking for an answer that was in more in your own words. If your definition is similar to a dictionary definition, great just put it in your own words! :) I love how people word things I feel it gives more insight...Up to you if you want to add a comment in your own words or not.
thanks for answering though!
Lovely answer. Please check your email..:D
Thank you for that!
@vladis
Edit: I followed your answers during the last weeks...I voted some too..You are a reliable source and when you answer you do it good!
Glad to have you with us!
The really interesting thing about abstract concepts like "lust" is that all definitions and interpretations are pretty much equally valid.
Thank you. Always glad to help.
I can't think of a single example of lust being a motivation for a good act. Can you give a specific example from your own experience?
I find that lust is like, this hate towards someone because you feel like you love them too much
Very well. I've occasionally channeled my sexual lust into artistic works, such as literature and paintings. As a case in point, the main female character in the novel I'm writing has an appearance (and for that matter, personality) identical to my vision of the perfect woman, and I've been lusting after her for years and years. But she's a fictional character. So rather than go crazy, I made her a character in my story, and the story would be much the worse without her. I've also done pixel-by-pixel paintings of her from time to time, and while I'm not the best painter in the world (far, far from it), nonetheless, I ended up with quite beautiful paintings, that I could be proud of for my whole life. All that beautiful art came from lust. Lust itself is neither good nor evil. It's what a person chooses to do about it that's good or evil. I chose acts of good. Sadly, many choose acts of evil. But certainly not all.
Sorry I can't post any examples of my paintings up here. My scanner is broken.