This month, we open space for an intimate and thoughtful exploration of sexuality, not as something to be defined or resolved in one sitting, but as a force to be met with reverence, honesty, and complexity.
Our readings bring together two powerful perspectives:
📖 “Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power” by Audre Lorde (1978)
Lorde, the visionary Black feminist, poet, and essayist, challenges us to reclaim the erotic, not merely as a sexual force but as a wellspring of power, integrity, and deep knowing. She writes:
“The erotic offers a well of replenishing and provocative force to the woman who does not fear its revelation, nor succumb to the belief that sensation is enough.”
In a world that suppresses and distorts the erotic, Lorde calls us to recognize its true potential:
“Recognizing the power of the erotic within our lives can give us the energy to pursue genuine change within our world, rather than merely settling for a shift of characters in the same weary drama.”
📖 Chapter 10: “Further Healing and Integration: Somatic Sexual Healing” from Reclaiming Aphrodite by Amrita Grace (2012)
Grace offers a continuation of this reflection, bringing us into the realm of embodied healing. She explores how releasing cultural and personal sexual shame can restore a sense of wholeness and integrity, transforming the ways we relate to our bodies, our desires, and each other:
“As you release shame and guilt and learn to honor your body as a sacred temple, you reclaim your birthright as an ecstatic spiritual sexual being.”
She highlights the importance of moving toward sexual integrity, where awareness and self-respect guide our actions:
“Integrity with your sexual energy is the first indicator of a sexually whole being.”
Together, these texts invite us into a space of deep inquiry. What does it mean to reclaim our erotic power? How do we heal from the cultural and personal wounds that shape our relationship with desire?
This conversation is just the beginning. Whether you come with personal reflections, questions, or simply a curiosity to listen, we welcome you to engage in this unfolding dialogue.
📅 Date: Wednesday, April 23rd
📍 Location: Zoom
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM EST / 7 PM CST / 6 PM MST / 5 PM PST
Join us as we hold space for the erotic, not as something to be feared or exploited, but as a profound source of wisdom, connection, and transformation.
RSVP below: