Lust vs Passion

I think our society confuses lust with passionate desire. Lust is not a basic emotion. It is a combination of emotions. Lust does include passionate or strong desire but it is more than just desire. Lust has another element, another emotion mixed in with the passionate desire.

To determine what this other emotion is, we need to look closely at the nature of lust. When we lust after something we not only feel desire for it but we can’t let it go; we can’t leave it alone. There is an ‘urgency ‘ in lust that is not in desire alone.

When I see a Porsche I feel desire. I wouldn’t mind having a Porsche but currently I can’t afford it so I drop it. If I lust after a Porsche I will not be able to drop it. I will mortgage my house if I have to because I “need” that car or at least I will become depressed because I cannot obtain it.

I contend that the additional emotion that turns desire to lust is fear. I believe lust is the combination of desire for something and the fear of not having it.

Having affection which turns to the desire for greater union which may become passionate desire is one thing but when fear of not having the object of one’s affection enters in you are dealing with lust which is quite another.

Without lust the need for greater union can be sacrificed for the sake of respect for the rights of others and/or your belief’s with regard to right and wrong. Lust is an element of addiction. When we focus our need for union (eros) on just one or a few things in life then the “fear of not having” becomes stronger and thus lust becomes greater and we become more desperate.

Healthy relationships involve passion not lust. We need to stop thinking that passion is lust. Lust is a weakness. Passion is a strength.