LUST is a declarative. “I Lust after …” . I confess, I am a beneficiary and a victim of “lust”.
WHY?
Because “Lusting after” something means “feeling biologically pulled” by an almost uncontrollable or ungovernable “urge”, “desire”, or “want” for something or someone.
To lust is to “covet”, “to yearn for”, “to hunger after”, “to crave”.
Lust is a self-initiated “demand” state, “I must have…”, “I lust after…”
Frequently tied to lasciviousness, lust is associated with carnality, possessive sexual passion and such. People will do almost anything, “values or decency be damned” to feed a powerful lustful urge.
To lust after can feel at times “unbridled” in its potency to move behavior. “In the parched desert sun, he lusted after water…”
“Lust” will amplify beauty/power/emotion in life. Lusting for someone or something attractive/seductive/good/fun/exciting can feel all encompassing. Lusting can even seem like a “need” but it’s not always for someone or something you actually need; rather, it’s desired to the point that it feels like need. “I can’t live without…” “I must have…”
Perceived desirability of the “full life” (especially for: sex, food, adventure, money, power, fame, etc.) with the objective of lustfully indulging in it without restraint, feels irresistible.
We learn from an early age that getting what you want is not realistic, and only possible if you go out and pursue it. This means toiling, working, exerting effort, rebounding from setbacks, and suffering in the pursuit. Lust can be a motivational engine that starts such a pursuit, even when substantial barriers are present.
In the end, we never fully get what we want in the way we want it, but somehow we learn (over time) to be satisfied with what we do get. Is lusting after success good or bad? That’s hard to say. It depends, always, on you and your own POV.
Of the Seven Deadly Sins, Lust, may be the easiest to spot, but the most difficult to understand.
WHY?
A few examples:
“Lust for Life”
The image above is of Van Gogh from a 1956 movie dramatizing his life and times. Not a happy or easy-going movie as it delves into how powerfully Van Gogh felt about and yearned for (or lusted after) life.
Early on, Van Gogh was lustfully moved by life’s images (colors in particular), but deeply disturbed by his own personal (unbridled) and confused psyche. The latter manifesting in his fractured relationships, horrible obsessions, terrible addictions, and devastating self-consequences at his own hand.
Lustful Van Gogh Quote: “I am crazy about two colors: carmine and cobalt. Cobalt is a divine color and there is nothing so beautiful for creating atmosphere. Carmine is as warm and lively as wine… the same with emerald green.”
Van Gogh died a wretched man.
The sin of “Lust”. One of the Seven Deadly Sins, as described in the Bible:
Of the 10 Commandments (from the Bible), the term Lust is elevated to “taboo.” To Lust is to want/desire someone else for your own. For your personal property.
In reference to the biblical commandment, you only need to “think lustfully” and this violates the Judeo-Christian value of fidelity. As the story goes, a Commandment delivered directly from Yahweh to Moses on Mount Sinai.
It takes only a Lustful Heart/Mind to break this Commandment. And, if you do, you are a Sinner.
No wonder “lust” is confusing because ordinary people lust all the time.
Is the feeling of “Lust” Biological?
Answer: YES
Human beings, along with other higher-order mammals, have three primary bio-emotional systems underpinning: (1) mating, (2) reproduction, and (3) parenting. (Helen Fisher (2000). Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 25: 96-104)
Sex drive (lust): characterized by craving for sexual gratification with the other.
Attraction (love): characterized by energy and focused attention on one or more potential mates. Associated feelings are exhilaration, intrusive thinking, and desire for emotional union with another.
Attachment (commitment): characterized by close social contact, feelings of calm, comfort, contentment within emotional union and long-standing concern for the union.
Each emotion system is associated with a discrete constellation of brain neurophysiology. Each has a direct and specific purpose for mating and reproduction.
Brain Neuroscience has identified specific brain-pathways implicated in the feeling of “LUST”.
Lustful feelings descend from the hypothalamus and move through posterior parts of the midbrain. This well established neural pathway is labelled the “LUST System”: Composed of highly proximal brain regions and emanate from the ventromedial hypothalamus.
Neurochemically, the “LUST System” is controlled by endorphins acting on kappa-opioid receptors. Selective hormones: vasopressin, testosterone and oxytocin, drive it. The strong presence of testosterone suggests pervasive “LUST” activation in males versus females.
It is without question that animals act, biologically, in seductive ways to engage lustful brain “physiology”.
Humans are no different:
Why does “God” punish people for lusting?
A controversial question, for sure, because most scriptural scholars re-interpret this Commandment not that, Lusting, itself is sin, but lusting after something that is forbidden (another person’s spouse; sex prior to a consecrated marriage, wanting something that is against a moral/spiritual code - masturbation or a male Catholic Priest lusting after a female parishioner).
Biblical scholars state it this way:
“Matthew 5:27–28 is not a condemnation of lust or sexual desire, nor does it mean that every red-blooded male [person] necessarily sins every time a beautiful woman [other] walks into a room (or onto a movie screen or anywhere else she may appear). On the contrary, “lust” itself is not a sin but leads to sin if it is not properly governed and put under the authority of the Spirit…”
Is ungoverned lust sinful?
Isn’t that what lust is all about?
Isn’t lust, by definition, comprehensive, overwhelming, non-governable?
Would life be less meaningful if everyone was constantly controlling and managing every lustful urge and evaluating whether the urge is appropriate or not appropriate? Feeling guilty all the time when one feels too lustful?
Please, Religion, Give me a Break!
This is what makes “lust” so difficult to understand, especially when it comes to fundamentalist religious morality. Within this context it seems impossible to come to grips with it especially if we are labelling what is otherwise a basic biological urge/process a sin.
Am I Lustful?
The scale below is taken from from the Affective Neurscience Personality Scales (ANPS):
LUST is defined here as: “An individual’s capacity to attain sexual desire and satisfaction.”
Directions: Please rate whether you “agree or disagree” with each statement based on the scale: 1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=agree, 4=strongly agree.
For me, it is easy to indulge myself in erotic experiences.
Strongly disagree (1)
disagree (2)
agree (3)
strongly agree (4)
I have often had negative experiences with my sexuality.
Strongly disagree (4)
disagree (3)
agree (2)
strongly agree (1)
I am generally satisfied with my sexuality
Strongly disagree (1)
disagree (2)
agree (3)
strongly agree (4)
I’m not particularly open about sexuality.
Strongly disagree (4)
disagree (3)
agree (2)
strongly agree (1)
I can fully enjoy engaging in sexual activities (intercourse, masturbation, etc.).
Strongly disagree (1)
disagree (2)
agree (3)
strongly agree (4)
Scoring: Add items based on numerical identifier. Maximum Score = 20; Minimum Score = 4. Average scores range (in multiple samples of German Adults (18 to 69 years)) were approximately: 12.1; A score of 15 or higher is indicative of a strong (potentially uncontrollable) propensity to experience Lust. Scores below 8, suggest a person who is either uncomfortable or unable to experience Lust. “Lust” is defined here as: “…capacity to attain sexual desire and satisfaction.”
How do we embrace “lust” as a part of our biology and psyche. Give “lust” some positive traction in the world of moral codes and prohibitions. This is a core question that I will explore in a later blog, assuming I get the sufficient, 100 readers, to encourage me to write Part II. “Learning How to Love Lust”