Define Sensuality
4.28.2009 | Blog, Sensuality
I came across some rather dreary and downright offensive (at least to me) definitions of “Sensuality” today while researching for an upcoming class.
sen-su-al-i-ty
–noun, plural -ties.
1. sensual nature: the sensuality of Keats’s poetry.
2. unrestrained indulgence in sensual pleasures.
3. lewdness; unchastity.
When I work with women to help them develop their sensuality, it is not about “indulgence” or “lewdness.” It is not even about sex. It is about being aware of what they see, touch, taste, etc — and their reaction to it. It is about having all of their sensory inputs open. It is about being in tune with body and spirit.
I do not see how sensuality is in any way related to “unchastity”!
So I challenge you to come up with something better.
4.28.2009
ewwee…gross.
I thought sensual, sensuous, sensuality was more just something that lures the senses. Or “of the senses”.
Sensuality could be defined as an indulgence or expression of sexuality but I think because our culture too narrowly defines sexuality it’s a difficult thing to expound on.
4.28.2009
My macbook dictionary defines sense as “a faculty by which the body perceives an external stimulus; one of the faculties of sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch.”
Sensuality is defined as “gratification of the senses.” And goes on to say, “especially touch,” which nullifies all the definitions that you found.
I think that people who are sensual are people who use all their senses to understand the world around them. I think it’s a compliment.
4.28.2009
I think I would go with something more like:
1. sensual nature
2. indulging in or a desire for sensual pleasure (not necessarily unrestrained)
don’t the original #3 fits anymore.
4.28.2009
(I added that middle section while you first three were posting. I figured I should state my definition.)
A lot of women feel shame about being sensual, so I was upset to see that the definition sort of implied that sensuality was a bad thing. Why does “sensual” = “sexual” = “bad”?
I think our senses are amazing and powerful tools to connect with ourselves, others, and the world.
Avoiding sensuality leads to sexual problems. People have a hard time fully entering into the sexual experience if they aren’t tuned in to what their body is “sensing”?
4.28.2009
Becky -
I’d agree. I think the key to your comment is the idea that “sexual” = “bad.” I don’t subscribe to that idea, but I can think of many who do.
“Sensual” can = “sexual” but I don’t believe it has to. But to think that “sensual” = “sexual” = “bad” or simply “sensual” = “bad” then we’re heading in the wrong direction.
4.28.2009
I agree that that definition is quite…odd. I’ve never seen “unchaste” associated with sensuality. Where’d you get that, just out of curiosity?
My personal assessment of the word is that sensuality describes how your body physically and emotionally reacts to inputs from the various senses associated with your body (the five basic senses + your inner sixth sense or intuition).
In and of itself, it makes no distinction between sexually-derived sensations vs. those that aren’t sexually derived (though people tend to apply a sexual connotation to it, obviously).
When I associate the term sensual with someone, I am usually referring to (or thinking of) someone who takes in everything they experience and uses it for their enjoyment and betterment.
4.28.2009
Alexa – It’s the first thing that popped up in google, Dictionary.com
They also list this definition:
1. The quality or state of being sensual or lascivious.
2. Excessive devotion to sensual pleasure.
“Excessive devotion?” — I don’t understand. I guess I have a very different appreciation for sensuality and see it as something positive and affirming.
4.28.2009
Alexa – I love your comment, and I think we share a similar understanding. “For their enjoyment and betterment” — YES!
4.28.2009
I can see where dictionary.com are coming from if they’re using a c19 dictionary as their point of reference.
These understandings of sensual make sense if we’re still using words like ‘hysteria’.
But for my own defniation I’d have to go with – sensitivity and taking pleasure from the senses.
4.28.2009
I agree, dictionary.com is way out of line there. I’ve *never* associated lewdness with sensuality.
The second definition you put up, Becky, sounds more appropriate for the word “hedonistic.” lol
4.29.2009
You’re so right – this definition frames sensuality as a bad thing – even the second definition, with “unrestrained indulgence,” seems to suggest a character flaw. It seems like a more neutral definition is needed, something like others have suggested, along the lines of “deriving pleasure through the physical senses.”