Lust, Just one of the Seven Deadly Sins

Lust, Lust, and more Lust.

This week I was discussing my fantasy of opening a breakfast restaurant in a beach tourist location upon my retirement with the theme of the “7 Deadly Sins”.  I recognize I would need to choose a liberal beach community such as Key West to avoid the ‘wrath’ I might receive from the devoutly religious.

Wrath, Greed, Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy and Gluttony.

It may prove challenging to create a menu based upon these themes, yet I found it intriguing to utilize these sins in a food fashion;  while using humor at addressing our human frailties and vices.

Over 1.7 thousand years ago, the 4th century  monk Evagrius Ponticus created a list of eight “evil thoughts”: Gluttony, Fornication, Avarice, Hubris, Sadness, Wrath, Boasting and Dejection.

In 590 AD, Pope Gregory I revised Ponticus list to create the base form of what we view in our modern society of the Seven Deadly Sins.

Being a sexual therapist, lust is on the forefront of my practice.  Too much lust, not enough lust, is this ‘normal’ lust, how do I deal with my lust, oh I’m awful….LUST.

Lust is usually thought of as excessive sexual thoughts and desires .

“In Dante’s Purgatorio, the penitent walks within flames to purge himself of lustful/sexual thoughts and feelings. In Dante’s “Inferno”, unforgiven souls of the sin of lust are blown about in restless hurricane-like winds symbolic of their own lack of self control to their lustful passions in earthly life.”     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins

Look at the punishment related to our human instincts towards lust: Walking into flames, hurricanes and more.

Despite the validity of our vices recognized even in the 4th Century, it is the shame element that continues to haunt us in the 21st century.

Even in current society, most of us have heard of sex as our ‘dirty little secret’,  ‘don’t touch down there’, ‘women are not suppose to enjoy it, want it, crave it”.  In Danish history, as in many other cultures I presume , they would tether little girls hands at night to prevent self stimulation.  In the Victorian age, chair legs needed to be covered to avoid someone feeling ‘aroused’.  Boys received messages that masturbation led to hairy palms and even insanity.  Lets not forget about ‘Chastity Belts’ .

All shamed based messages about our innate sexual selves.

When we look at our hormones that fuel lust (testosterone in particular), we have a more realistic and biological view of its role in each of our lives.  Where does shame belong in biology?

It is only our choices related to our natural lustful urges that may contribute to feelings of shame: if we disrespect our self, our relationships, make unsafe choices, or even harm another.

Lust is pervasive in our humanness as well as expressed in our culture. Strip clubs bring in revenues of $75 billion, the porn industry accounts for approximately $57 Billion and every second over 400 people are searching for porn online.

My site alone has received over 10 thousand hits in 3 1/2 month from the word ‘SEXY’.   The most clicked on picture  on my site is an attractive female.

We are naturally drawn to beauty, to experience lust and desire, to want to see, feel, and touch another.

Lust is part of who we are.

When we accept this as a natural part of who we are, managing our lustful choices can become more manageable.

Despite lust being one of the 7 deadly sins, it can be rejoiced and enjoyed in a responsible fashion with moderation, compassion, respect for self and other, and safety.

Maybe I will one day open that fantasized restaurant, although I think “Gluttony” would be the predominant theme.

For today, its Lust, Lust and more…lust.