*Matters of Desire & the Energy of the Erotic
Presenter: Dr Brendon Stewart
Dr Brendon Stewart will talk about his thoughts on matters of Desire and the energy of the Erotic.
The French are glad to die for love.
They delight in fighting duels.
But I prefer a man who lives
and gives expensive jewels.
There is a story of Moses descending Mount Sinai with the tablets of the law under his arms. I’ve got them down to ten he shouts to the assembled Israelites, but adultery’s still in.
It is the law that sadistically prohibits our desires.
Freud acknowledges in Civilization and its Discontents that we may presume our desires and appreciation of aesthetic beauty derive almost entirely from the ‘field of sexual feeling’. The erotic involves intricacy and digression and is always a meditation on aesthetic well being. This includes some things to do with religion, sexuality and the allure of a certain forbiddenness.
An erotic life more often involves the exchange of gifts; you can have your cake and eat it too. Indeed, with friendships you can’t have your cake unless you eat it too. Friendships don’t happen unless one take on the friendship. In this way the gift of friendship, the gift of anything really is an emanation of Eros. One’s Libido is never lost, when it is exchanged, lovers never waste the erotic. The satisfaction of making love (and here I mean in its widest sense) somehow assures there is plenty to share.
Dr. Brendon Stewart works with the Cana Communities in inner city Sydney. Here he is involved with a mentoring programme assisting men who have recently been released from NSW state prisons. He is also involved with the organization of acute need shelters for homeless men.
In a more serious way he paints window sills and some pictures.
DATE: May 12
TIME: 6:30 for 7:00 pm
VENUE: Level 2: 484 Kent St Sydney
COST: Member $10 Non-Member $25 Non-Member Concession $20
*Psychotherapists and other practitioners can obtain credit for Professional Development hours recognised by CAPA, PACFA and ACA for this presentation.