Monthly Archives: January 2020

Sartre and Maslow on romance

Warning: Mature content ahead.

Had a nice idea!

Sartre and Maslow both favor non-possessiveness. Sartre’s point is more philosophical: We cannot, as a matter of ontological fact, “possess” the Other. The prime example is in romantic love–particularly, in the consensual sexual (“consexual”) act.

During “consex” (obviously, consensual sex…), we might gaze upon the other with desire for their flesh. Uh…

…let’s desexualize this. “Deconsexualize”?

Maslow believed self-actualizing people do not seek to possess their romantic Other*.

When we put Sartre and Maslow together in this constext, we neither can nor should possess another whose presence we enjoy and desire.

*My subjective interpretation of Maslow’s actual view.

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Some reflections on religion

I was raised Hindu. While I naturally still identify as one, certain concepts from other religious philosophies resonate with me, including Buddhism’s Middle Way (not as much its Four Noble Truths, which to me seem irresponsibly dreary as a set).

The Book of Job has stayed with me since reading in high school. Takeaway from it is to never turn away from God, no matter what He subjects us to. His being perfect, we either deserve what he inflicts upon us or simply need our faith challenged.

Hinduism’s cosmogony is my favorite part of it. As a kid, I would’ve said it was more the stories of Gods and Goddesses that captivated my imagination. The ultimate triumph of good over evil is my favorite theme from Hindu mythology.

I’ve felt the Holy Spirit or Ghost two-three times in recent memory. The last time was after a Bible Study outside of a Mormon church in Georgia. Before then, I felt it most acutely in a Thai mosque. Also, felt it in one of the largest Buddhist temples in the world.