#65 | Sex, Love & The Discipline of Eros - Andrea Villa
“The way you approach a woman, the way you approach nature, it is absolutely the same thing.”
My guest today is Andrea Villa, a scholar, a mentor of men, a restorer of old practices and languages of the sacred.
He has spent several years studying male initiation with indigenous peoples from India to West Africa to Native America, developing a unique understanding of gender as intelligence. His passion is to support men in regaining their erotic agency in love & relationships.
In today's episode, we delve into the profound realms of Eros as a multifaceted force that transcends mere physical attraction, touching upon the realms of the spiritual, the creative, and the deeply personal aspects of human experience.
Andrea shares his journey of being undone by Eros, highlighting its crucial role in our connection to the world. He describes the important differences between masculine and feminine energies, and advocates for the significance of adoration and devotion in the dance of partnership.
Andrea also introduces the concept of erotic discipline, a practice of staying present with beauty to transcend the visible and touch the essence of our being. And he references Dante’s Divine Comedy, the monumental epic from the Middle Ages, and the poet’s adoration of Beatrice as a model for a love that can elevate our spirits to the divine.
LINKS
SHOW NOTES
Introduction to Silence and Beauty: Andrea emphasizes the profound impact of starting conversations with silence, which he links to beauty and creativity.
Beauty's Role: Describes beauty as a conduit to the sacred and invisible, enhancing a spiritual understanding of the universe.
Current Reflections: Andrea shares his experiences and thoughts from Boulder, Colorado, including the impact of aging and his gardening.
Focus on Eros: Discusses his deep engagement with the concept of Eros, which has become central to his life's work and current writing.
Personal Love Story: Shares a transformative personal love story that led him to explore the complexities of love more deeply.
Cultural Perspectives on Love: Analyzes how historical and cultural shifts have influenced the understanding and expression of love.
Explaining Different Loves: Distinguishes between different types of love such as Eros, agape, and amore, emphasizing their unique aspects.
Gender Differences in Love: Talks about the inherent differences in how men and women experience and express love, based on biological and psychological factors.
Medieval Love Dynamics: Describes the educational role of women in teaching men about intimacy and love during the Middle Ages.
Homosexual Love: Discusses the historical context and social implications of homosexual love, especially in ancient Greece.
Educational Aspect of Love: Explores how love acts as an educational tool that can lead to personal transformation and societal benefits.
Impact of Modern Relationships: Critiques modern transactional relationships and the loss of deeper, cultural discussions about love.
Mythological References: Integrates mythological and historical narratives to explain current perceptions and roles in love.
Eros and Personal Growth: Connects Eros to individual development and the importance of understanding it within cultural contexts.
Conclusion on Eros and Discipline: Ends with insights into the discipline needed to healthily engage with Eros, focusing on beauty and personal connection.
