How To Discern Lust and Attraction.

Christopher explores the complexities of appreciating God's creation while avoiding the pitfalls of lust. Drawing inspiration from St. Augustine and the Theology of the Body, we explore the distinction between authentic attraction and lust, emphasizing the pilgrimage from finite beauty to infinite beauty. Discover the transformative power of mad eros, sacrificial love, and the divine mystery embedded in the union of man and woman. This video is a deep dive into the heart of human longing and the ultimate satisfaction found in God's everlasting beauty.
Get Eating the Sunrise here at tobinstitute.kartra.com/page/...
00:00 Introduction Question
00:45 Wisdom from St. Augustine
01:50 The Cure to Bad Erotic Desire
02:49 Learn to Love As Jesus Loves
03:50 Lust vs. Rejoicing in Beauty
04:20 What is Mad Eros?
05:11 The Key to Understand Lust and Attraction
06:08 Why Are We Attracted to Women?
08:56 We're Made for Infinite Beauty
12:43 Eros & Faith
13:21 Psalm 119
14:37 Overcoming Bad Eros (Lust)
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[@diegomendez7119]

I do not know why I never thought of this. It makes so much sense. Thank you Christopher West, I hope you know the impact you are having in many of men’s lives. This is amazing. God bless you, I’ll keep praying for you.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Glory to God! Please keep those prayers coming.

[@GalaxyCatPlays]

When I was seaching for ways I started doing this without knowing it existed. when I would look at women I would think no no no, They are beautiful but they should be repected and God has created them beautiful. When I stop doing this I fell for temptation but Then I saw this and i reminded me of what I was doing. God is Good :)

[@diegomendez7119]

@@GalaxyCatPlays Amazing brother, that means you had good discernment without knowing it. That is the Holy Spirit in you, in me, in all of us. We got to keep grinding! God bless you❤️

[@GalaxyCatPlays]

@@diegomendez7119 You too God has bless me greatly and I'm forever grateful. God bless 🥰

[@Elizabeth-mp6tr]

Dr West: This "pilgramage" is not only for men, but for women as well. If we "covet" old relationships, or covet any new relationships, we MUST send all our desires, hopes, prayers to God. This, is the only way to stay with God as we grow in finding our life partners.

[@DouglasABailey]

THANK YOU. "The whole purpose of finite beauty is to set me on a journey toward infinite beauty."

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

You're so welcome! In the words of the prophet Buzz Light Year... "to infinity... and Beyond!"

[@hismajesty6272]

I’m Protestant, and for topics like this I differ to the Catholic teaching, since I currently attend a non denominational church, and they don’t have resources for this kind of stuff. Thank you, and God bless.

[@JorgeAlxsRod]

Same bro

[@eoinMB3949]

Did you mean "defer"?

[@crispusmahea2135]

​@@eoinMB3949most likely

[@christyread3526]

Just in case no one's ever personally invited you to mass I'm inviting you to attend mass every day on EWTN Network no matter where you live it's everywhere 👍... And do yourself a solid .. catechism in a year with Father Mike... You won't regret it

[@stevem2879]

Might there be a “reason” for that?🤔

[@ThePhilosorpheus]

This is awesome. I came here for advice on how not to lust after women and came out mindblown with some of the deepest philosophical theological insights Ive ever heard. Every dude on the planet needs to hear this stuff. God bless you and God bless the Catholic Church!!!

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

All glory to God! Keep going deeper, there’s always more.

[@kingdongo4388]

You mean God bless everyone

[@TyehimbaJahsi]

This was deeply helpful. There's a woman in my past whose strange beauty has haunted me beyond all rational understanding for over 25 years. I selfishly and recklessly desired that beauty for my own carnal satisfaction. It led to a tremendously wasteful sidetracking of my life. Yet deep inside, I always knew it was pointing me to a greater mystery than just her. But I willfully blinded myself to the True Source that her beauty was pointing me to. I'll be watching this video over and over again. It really helped me get a grasp on what it's all about. Thank you.

[@lemongrenade29]

I hope you can defeat that by the grace of God 🙏🏻

[@TyehimbaJahsi]

@@lemongrenade29 Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound.

[@thebirdintern7488]

"Am I willing to sacrifice someone elses dignity for my own pleasure" (I know that's not quoted precisely) might just be the most profound way I have ever heard this concept exlained. Honestly, that really makes me think more deeply on this, thank you.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're glad it was helpful!

[@thebirdintern7488]

I've been thinking about this more as I listen to the video (yes I leave comments as I go, I'm the worst lol). The thought came to mind of Satan attempting to tempt Jesus while he was alone in the mountains. And Satan told him that if Jesus simply bowed to him that he would give him all of the nations of the earth, which Jesus rejected. The coorilation here being that Satan wanted Jesus to sacrifice to him his diginty for his own pleasure and gain. That is clearly a goal of his. The taking away of our dignity. Now he's able to do that without even trying via porn. Anyways, I don't have much more to add on this point but it did stick into my head and wanted to share it.

[@arashzandieh2380]

Everyone needs to hear this to the point that TOB should be read in seminaries. TOB shows us how to handle our sexual desires and it educates on the importance of our bodies in a holy and pure way that allows us to live the gospel. It is compatible with fasting and living the virtue of chastity.

[@friedawells6860]

Not just in seminary but in every Catholic school!

[@ebear5595]

I’ve been needing this clarity for years. Thanks be to God for the grace of these revelations

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're glad you've were blessed!

[@Snouckhurgronje]

I wish our Church could again commission some great modern art/drawings/animation on how love is most fully expressed or best experienced with Theology of the Body

[@cardboardcapeii4286]

Modern art isn’t great.

[@texteixeira3235]

Thank you for the video, Mr. West! I really needed it!❤

[@bielsabas4407]

Thank you Christopher West, really happy to come across this video. May all good things direct us to their Maker always. Such an important thing to remember for me as someone who often struggles to see God in the seemingly secular things and situations.

[@bobbcarpenter7031]

I actually converse with God as I look. I thank Him for the beauty that is perceived and received. It is a day-by-day process. And I'm so glad I can look without wanting. Thank you for bringing the TOB to life!

[@timothyjones5959]

Wow. Superlative. Thank you Christopher for the beautiful ministry & charism you have been blessed with stewarding so effectively.

[@frankmarano7530]

I’ve been struggling with this for decades and have found this podcast very helpful! Thank you.

[@seancaseo84]

Literally asking myself this question all day. What timing

[@perro7183]

Thank you for posting this insightful content. This is something I've struggled with since I married my wife almost 10 years ago. I intuitively knew some of what you explained but never heard it put so clearly to help me understand it. God bless!

[@hailtothevic]

I grew up in an extremely conservative, borderline puritanical/ fundamentalist church that preached stuff like "just looking/ talking/ sitting next to/ being in the general vicinity of the opposite sex is a sin and if you don't publicly repent, you'll burn in Hell". I still struggle with differentiating lust and "oh, she's pretty"

[@rudya.hernandez7238]

Oh I needed this. Thank you.

[@Sheepish-Shepherd]

Thank you for this! Love the edits as well. I didn't expect a good laugh among the wise teaching.

[@JPGoertz]

Fantastic. I have often had that feeling of eating the sunrise when I have taken communion... It is exactly that!

[@missionariesOME33]

Wow, Christopher, beautiful, powerful sharing. Thank you for continuing on to fight the good fight! Woah! dear brother! It truly is of utmost excitement and fulfillment when we persevere in this pilgrimage to a transcending communion with Christ, and His Bride the Church. For this truly sates that deepest longing; And it most surely and fully comes with Jesus in the Eucharist, in and through the "womb" of Mother Church, and Mary's Immaculate Heart!

[@dominikry]

I dont enjoy rhe edits that much but please keep them!!! I didn't even realize that because of those micro doses of dopamine I have stayed and watched the whole video with interest! Way more successful than video with no editing

[@elliotrushreborn]

Amen, just what i needed to hear. Thankyou Jesus❤️‍🔥🙏🏽

[@m.935]

You crossed the line moment you start to dwell about the line. That puts you right before the line, and line becomes your god who rules over you. When you have a pure heart, you don't need a line. When you come to a place of feeling disgust, sadness and repulsion for the sin in your heart, your heart will have a layer of protection against attraction to another women. But to get to that point, you need to look deeply i to your own soul where all the ugliness is. Where all our sins start and end. Meditate about that and cry to the God the Father to deliver you from evil. Because it is a bondage. And people saying "men are like that, they are more visual"- those doesn't serve you, they only excuse the bondage.

[@nellieedwards5727]

We are enjoying "Eating the Sunrise" and discussing as we go. Awesome! Thanks Christopher!

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

WOO WOO! Hope it stirs the divine Hunger within.

[@TheMarinebro]

I ordered the book! Excited to read it. Praying for you, thank you sharing TOB and the Faith in such a relatable way. Praise God for everything! and also you and your family, such a blessing. PBJC

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Thank you for watching and please keep praying for us.

[@jcscabral]

Great question!!!!!! That has been a struggle in my conscious

[@NathanMcDevitt]

The editing of these videos is so charming. I used to listen to Christopher West ALL the time; I listened to almost the entire series of his podcasts back in 2019. The editing of these videos has won me back. Definitely enjoying these videos.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

The guy editing the video is very grateful for the affirmation! He really tries hard to be light-hearted and engaging. 😂

[@LeftenantMalachi]

You're an odd fellow, but I love the message! This helps a lot. Thank you. Struggled w/ this for decades.

[@LightningJackFlash]

520th viewer :P Great video, I highly value your understanding and explainig what is happening to us when we look at the beauty of God's work.

[@ReactionaryPapist]

God Bless you man! Amen to all you say! The passion you speak with is humbling and inspiring.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're so glad it blessed you! Please pray for us.

[@ReactionaryPapist]

I will certainly! Pray for me too please, I am recieving First Communion on Saturday, please pray so that I am ready, worthy and in grace. God Bless you very much!@@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute

[@wojtek5385]

I needed that for what I'm going through right now. Nothing dramatic, but as I am making my way out of some mistakes I've done over the years I found myself in a bit of inner chaos. Psalm 119 - good call!

[@marvinthemartian6788]

You’re not the only one brother. I was pagan for 21 years. But God was relentless in His pursuit. God bless

[@JorgeAlxsRod]

At the gym I do the whole “Lord thank you for her beauty but I recognize something in me is twisted Ect” and I’ve seen improvement. But it would be amazing if you can make a practical video on how to apply this in the real world. You can be hitting a bench set and three beautiful women in booty shorts can walk right past you. Like it’s hard to say that lengthy prayer three times in a row ( I know it’s not about repeating the prayer it’s the heart) but what are practical things we can do or say, to go on that Healthy pilgrimage. In those fast pace scenarios. Or another example. You need to go get a weight across the gym and you know miss lady is over there and you know she’s wearing fitted clothing. Would it be appropriate to go over there get your weight, appreciate her and praise god and go on that pilgrimage? Ik it sounds crazy but I’m being serious 🙏🏻

[@blessedvirginmaryisqueen8448]

As a priest, I recommend: do practice a reasonable custody of the eyes, but if you do happen to see a woman/girl dressed in this manner, offer up a quick, loving prayer for her-- "Father, this daughter of yours is very beautiful: I praise You for this beauty You give her, and I ask that You bless this dear girl by making her soul beautiful, too. Make her holy and happy. Amen. " Or, just a simple, "Father, bless this dear daughter of yours! Amen." Then... move on...and finish your workout! Hope that helps....

[@JorgeAlxsRod]

@@blessedvirginmaryisqueen8448 yes it does thank you so much brother😇

[@blessedvirginmaryisqueen8448]

@@JorgeAlxsRod Great! And, of course, call upon Our Lady and St. Joseph!

[@Prohortico]

About 15-20 years ago I listened to Christopher West’s entire cd set on the theology of the body, I was also fortunate to attend one of his conferences in person. He had advice regarding overcoming past sexual sin and lust while praying in front of the Eucharist in silent adoration - to offer up all the images we have for all the different women we have seen… to spread our arms out wide and ‘crucify’ ourselves in union with Christ, to genuinely tell Jesus that I am yours, do with me as you will I give my life to you! Yes, pray ‘in the moment’ as Fr. said in his comment, but also take all your past lustful memories that you want to rid yourself of and ask Jesus to free them from your mind and ‘Nail those memories to the Cross’. You will find a gradual easing of both the temptations, and the past memories… it will help lead you into being able to view all women with greater dignity, respect, and with true love that desires their ultimate good. It’s unfortunate (I love to exercise too) that going to the gym has become such a battle ground for the custody of our souls…

[@blessedvirginmaryisqueen8448]

@@Prohortico I too also met Christopher West at a TOTB Conference in Chicago back in, oh, 2003, I think (perhaps that was the same one you were at??), very cool dude, very charitable man! Invited us all up to join him for dinner after 3 days of intense conferences, very generous soul! I also remember that talk that West gave to which you referred (I listened to that tape, while discerning the priesthood prior to entering seminary)-- very powerful story, I remember! I agree that that sort of prayer is very powerful, and that sort of experience fits perfectly with the psychological teachings of the late Dr. Conrad Baars (may he rest in peace). Dr. Baars, utilizing some of the teachings of the great St. Thomas Aquinas, really emphasized the fact that all human emotions and feelings are *natural* goods (on the moral level, they are neutral, but on the natural level, they are good-- just like our limbs, which are naturally good, but morally neutral: we can use our limbs for good or for evil, but, because we can use them for good, they are naturally good, similar, too, with the emotions and feelings). Because the sexual appetite is often one that is repressed (and many persons do this because they find the sexual appetite difficult to control, because it is very powerful, like anger-- which, too, is also often repressed), Dr. Baars emphasized the natural goodness of the sexual appetite and the need to integrate it into the higher faculties of reason and will in order to truly be a chaste man (or woman). For, chastity is not the repression of sexual attraction, but the integration of it into the higher faculties of reason and will, with, of course, the aid of grace. At any rate, to tie this in to West's experience of offering up the images he had in his memory, Dr. Baars teaches that we need to allow ourselves to experience whatever feelings and emotions we have-- whether that be love, hate, anger, despair, sexual attraction, whatever-- in order to *elevate* those feelings to the reason and will and have them be guided by those higher faculties. I think that is precisely what West did in that experience, and, by his account, it helped him to experience a release of selfish lust and have it be replaced with chaste charity/love towards women. Now, this obviously requires grace (and, I would say, the guidance of a good Confessor or spiritual director), but it can be done. Long story short: true chastity is not the repression of the sexual appetite/attraction, but the ELEVATION of it, by God's grace, to the higher faculties of reason and will, to be guided by those faculties. That is true virtue, true chastity, and true charity. For, doing so is what enables a man to view a woman's beauty and to give her the love and respect that she, as a woman, deserves, which is the very purpose for why God gave women the beauty that he gave them (God made women beautiful not to try to "trip up" men but to help men to LOVE these dear daughters of His!)...AND, it also enables a man to realize the deeper and much more important reality of the INTERIOR beauty of women's souls-- for, the souls of virtuous women truly are *beautiful* even as the soul of a virtuous man exudes strength-- in accord with the Scripture, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeing, but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (Prov. 31) Amen!

[@TopThrillNagster]

Whoever is editing these is freaking amazing! If I could even learn a fraction from them PHEW so good! It's like an episode of Bill Nye but actually worth watching because it's about the King of the Universe and His original design for us! "Women's body became the dwelling place of the most high God." Masterfully done. And thank you for this very needed video.

[@mikemangione]

Juan! he is the Juan and only ... as we say.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

The guy editing really appreciates this. God bless you, my brother! 😭

[@clydedoris5002]

Makes sense I found nature to be a reflection of God didn't know to put the two together thanks God bless

[@fugaaazi]

I loved this video so much. Thank you so much for sharing this. Such an important video, in my opinion. I struggle, and I want to be better. And this has given me realizations and gives me hope. Thank God. ❤️

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're happy to hear it blessed you! Please pray for us.

[@michaelanthony4750]

Such an important video for our time.

[@FMcrow020]

All I can say is thank you! God bless you and your ministry!

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're so glad it blessed you! Please pray for us.

[@chrisdsouza23171]

Thank you Christopher

[@esterleroux9214]

Dante Alighieri and his love for Beatrice. Pray God let the truth of The Theology of the Body of St John Paul II open eyes of hearts to the Beauty, Goodness and Truth of rightly ordered love. Thank you, Christopher West, for your dedication to teach and instruct on this timely revelation from God through his Spirit - I believe to renew the depth and width and height of Christian love for a time like this. I pray for you and your family to stay steadfast.

[@cillalefua]

Thank you for this description and has helped me understand my desires and what it means

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

You are so welcome! Thank you for watching.

[@RethaMash]

THIS MAKES SO MUCH SENSE!!!!! WOW

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Wooohoo!! We're so glad.

[@isaacmiller1783]

I sought God and He heard my cry for Him!! I will tell my friends about it and pray God we will live it out yes only by Your Spirit!!!

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Seek and you shall find, the Man himself said!

[@flash32productions]

Love the painting in the background

[@_ChristianMoon_]

Very well said!

[@johnt5015]

God bless you, brother. Man, what a delicate but blissfully easy to understand counter towards lust. Praise God for Him guiding me to this video. Can’t wait to add this to my arsenal!

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Keep fighting the good fight, brother! And keep going deeper into the Theology of the Body. It will take you straight to the Heart of Jesus!

[@SkateMigs]

I needed to hear this. Thank you.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're so glad it blessed you! Please subscribe or share, it helps spread this beautiful teaching to the ends of the Earth.

[@Phlogiston2312]

Appreciation of God's handy work is not necessarily bad. I will say that lingering on them is temptation

[@mrpitagora]

Masterpiece.

[@marydyck7221]

Wow......never heard things explained this way.....beautiful.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're so glad it blessed you! Please pray for us.

[@bartomiejjaszczak7331]

Truly amazing video!

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're so glad it blessed you!

[@pedroelias1060]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@johnpatrickparker-dw4zw]

God bless you with Grace. Please send TOB it will definitely open our minds to new dimension It is a must for young generation. God bless. Amen.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Thank you for the blessing! Please pray, subscribe and share so that the TOB may reach as many people as God intends.

[@freehorse7299]

God bless you!

[@Destassan]

I'm really grateful for your videos. They help me protect my dignity. I have this idea that I would like to share. We cannot sacrifice woman's dignity as it does not belong to us. We cannot even sacrifice our own dignity as it also doesn't belong to us. The only thing we can do is to disconnect ourselves from our own dignity and fail to recognize her dignity.

[@NickyTmathew]

Disconnect ourselves only from our own pride. Not dignity, because God doesn't want that. Although, it is hard to know the difference sometimes. Pray to the Holy Spirit to grant you the ability to discern the difference. God bless you!

[@Destassan]

@@NickyTmathew Thank you for your comment. I can see that I didn't make myself as clear as I would like to. I meant that when we disconnect ourselves from our true dignity (given by God) we are under risk of lust and other sins. The dignity is always there and we just need to focus on reconnecting with it. Feeling of lust can be an information that we're disconnected from our dignity. That's my understanding of it, at least, that I wanted to share.

[@timothyjones5959]

Give this man - Christopher West - his well-deserved Catholic University Honorary Doctorate. It’s a cliff note dissertation if there ever was one.

[@David-md8bd]

This is amazing

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're glad it was helpful! If you'd like to go deeper check out www.tobforfree.com/

[@pedroelias1060]

Obrigado. Realmente V. toca no ponto certo: a beleza!!!

[@dougmoore5252]

It depends on your focus on, don’t let fantasy take off.

[@SapneswarRath]

I never thought of this but ,today i scrolled KZbin i found this video and god said me to watch the video i m suffering lust i want to overcome 😢 thankyou i reaserch for this one year but nobody can't answer my question you did it thank you god thank you buddy God bless you

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're so glad it blessed you! Please pray for us.

[@pedroelias1060]

Yes. Yes. Yes.

[@seekerofsense]

thanks

[@prodmygod]

Amen brother amen 🙏🏼

[@etunaisak]

Amazing video

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Thank you for watching!

[@GogakuOtaku]

Wait, you wrote a book? Thanks, I needed ideas for what to ask for for Christmas!

[@onikillah9596]

Thank you so much for this video ❤ you're a man of God ❤ pretty funny too as well 😂

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're so glad it blessed you! Please pray for us.

[@onikillah9596]

@@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute I am the one who should be asking for your prayers...

[@neomagnon]

While contemplating the objects of the senses, one develops attachment for them, from attachment, lust develops. From lust, anger arises, from anger delusion arises, from delusion, bewilderment of memory. And then intelligence is lost.

[@alessiocolosio6820]

Eyes wide shut by S. Kubrick is an interesting movie about the problem of lust. It has a lot to say about that

[@woodenplay730]

With the purified you show yourself pure! - Psalm 18:26

[@eamonnclark7360]

St. Thomas and St. Alphonsus told me the distinction has to do with the deliberate delight taken in venereal pleasure (which I understand to be the quality of pleasure which suffices for completion - even if it is not great enough in quantity), even if incomplete, or deliberately taking pleasure in wanting to do illicit things with someone.

[@neenutomi316]

From the book "To save thousands of souls " by fr Brett Brannen # True freedom comes from sacrificing our own wants and desires to reach a greater good. Sometimes this means you cannot have everything you want. And there are some places you cannot go. But God made us for happiness and for greatness. And our happiness and greatness consist in discovering the plan of God for our life and then committing ourselves to this greater good, despite giving up some things. Remember that God does not need us. He is omnipotent. He is infinite in power and can build the Kingdom of God without our help. However, because he loves us, he wants us to have the privilege of cooperating with him. God gives us the opportunity as human beings to demonstrate our dignity by graciously saying yes to his call. This is why he invites us to search out, to discover and to embrace our vocation.

[@gentilenation1117]

Humanity is always for beauty by design but the upgraded(divine) suggests “focus on the good”.

[@frenbolt0830]

Appreciating beauty is when you feel bad for even starting to or ever starting to think perversely on someone, appreciating beauty is when you value their looks and likeness to The LORD and willing to protect them and make them feel important. Lust is when you are shamelessly thinking of perverse thoughts to other people, and when you are inwardly deteriorating- hence disrespecting their likeness to The LORD inside your heart. Good Video by the way! I subscribed!

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Thank you! Please pray for our ministry.

[@frenbolt0830]

@@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute I will pray for the ministry and I hope that The LORD will guide you and provide you all in order for you to spread more good messages as this!

[@angloaust1575]

The male female attraction Does arouse passions However self control is needed Putting ones mind before ones Urges considering the consequences of such desire!

[@bruncibanci]

Wow what a gem this was. I'd like the book, do you have international shipping in plan any time soon? I'm in Croatia. Cheers!

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Thank you for watching. Not sure, but feel free to check the store. Let us know if you like it. shop.corproject.com/collections/books?kuid=69ba1add-91d5-49b3-817e-8842e1acd499&kref=iygctJrWdzlF

[@bunny_0288]

To me as soon as the thoughts turn sexual in nature or you are "appreciating" bathing suit parts you have crossed the line into lust. Noticing a person has a nice smile or a nice haircut or that they look like they have been working out is appreciating beauty. As a married woman, I no longer see men the way I used to. My husband fulfills all my sexual needs, so seeing an objectively attractive man is like seeing a beautiful painting. Like oh that man has symmetrical facial features and obviously spends a lot of time at the gym. And that's it 😂. My thoughts don't go beyond just basic observation.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Thanks for sharing!

[@francislusson8658]

Hey TOB guy! Love your content! I struggle with lust, I at times am able to direct my attention to God and praise Him for the beauty in His creation, and yet, at other times I succumb to the lust. Can I find your content on other platforms? Perhaps a website? Where I can avoid KZbin altogether? Just curious

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Thank you for watching, we're glad it's been a blessing to you. We'd recommend Christopher has a best selling book where he goes deep into issues like the one addressed in this video. You can find it here: shop.corproject.com/products/good-news-about-sex-and-marriage He also has a weekly podcast called The Ask Christopher West Podcast. You can find it on any streaming platform.

[@juanpablopadilla3870]

I’ve been reading your commentary on Saint JPIIs TOTB and I can just say that I love your teaching Dr West. Just one question as of now, when talking about virginal uniqueness and how psychosomatic communion confirms each spouse in their virginal uniqueness as their unrepeatableness as person(pg 118) how does virginity make a person unique? It’s seems like you’re saying that the martial embrace reminds spouses of their original innocence but I don’t understand how that makes a person unique.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Christopher and his wife Wendy have a weekly podcast where they address more direct questions like this one. Feel free to submit your question here: askchristopherwest.com/ask

[@LETTO2366]

Nice

[@DoubleOhSilver]

Finally, a proper explanation of lust. Society has ruined the definition by saying it is a strong desire. That is not what it is. There are also other types of lust. Lust is destructive, it is the desire for only a portion of the object. You can recognize it when the desire only takes one aspect of something and rejects the rest. Sexual lust (the classic and common, we usually drop the "sexual" out) is the desire for sex for solely pleasure. When we lust after women, we wish to use their beauty and body for our own gratification. It is also lust when you give yourself sexual pleasure. There's also the lust for power, usually referred negatively as ambition (if you read old texts), which is the desire for power simply to have power or status while ignoring the responsibility and well-being of others. Also, it's funny that we even refer to mad Eros as such. God knows true love, we don't, so mad Eros is actually the truth, which seems crazy to us 😂

[@Lcoreyful]

Thank you. Learning from earlier videos has reduced my Eros Anxiety. I was always at Dont Look, Dont Think... But changing to Mad Love Eros is a process.. How long does this process take? Im sure its a little more difficult than a switch you turn on and off. Hah. But thank you

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We’re so glad it was helpful! Christopher and his wife Wendy have a weekly podcast where they address more specific questions. Feel free to submit your question here: askchristopherwest.com/ask

[@fubaralakbar6800]

In other words, if you like what you see in the same you like looking at a mountain or a deer, you're good. If you like what you see in the same way you like looking at your wife, you're not so good.

[@neenutomi316]

From the book "food for soul (c)" by Peter kreeft, # page 9 Only human beings can love because only human beings have free choice. Nothing else in the universe that we know of has the free will to choose to make itself more itself or less itself. Rocks can’t choose to be more or less rocky and dogs can’t choose to be more or less doggy, but humans can choose to be more human or less human, by choosing to love or not to love. This love is charity. Charity is not just our spontaneous feelings. It does not arise from our nature as selfish animals. It is a gift of God. So St. Paul prays for it, as we should too. He prays that God may “strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness.”

[@Brutananadlewski]

This is something I really struggle with and I feel really hopeless. It's to the point where I wish I could just turn off physical attraction with a switch.

[@Rich.-]

A mystery indeed. I thank God every day, for not being able to figure out the mystery. Because if we were able to figure out the mystery, and still settling for sin over the light of Christ…then truly we would reject the mercy which awaits us every day. We are talking about eternal separation from God forever. Better known as Hell.

[@MM22272]

This sounds very interesting even as a abstract consideration, though I wish there was something more concrete in this presentation, for example, to define and elaborate what it means when a man finds a woman physically attractive. Is that lust or simply natural attraction?

[@blessedvirginmaryisqueen8448]

If the girl/woman (or her father) would be flattered by how a man looks at her, then it's chaste; if she would want to slap the man (or if her Dad would want to punch him) as a creep, then it's lust.

[@Prohortico]

@@blessedvirginmaryisqueen8448 As a father of 3 beautiful little girls and 2 boys (3rd girl is going to be born in January) - I concur…. Great perspective, short and to the point. Hands off my daughters!

[@blessedvirginmaryisqueen8448]

@@Prohortico Amen! And as a priest and spiritual father to the many girls and women that God sends to me, God has given me that same fatherly zeal for them: men, do NO harm to my dear daughters in the Lord by unchaste behavior, looks, or even thoughts towards them (don't even THINK about them in a manner that is demeaning towards these dear daughters of God!), but love and respect them, as they ALL deserve! Amen! God bless you, and congratulations on being given those three PRECIOUS daughters, including the one in the womb! And, also, those boys, too! They're cool, too! :)

[@JohnPaul-sn3jt]

❤

[@James-wv3hx]

Former Catholic Priest Alan Watts has the answers. He doesn't preach to his audience of a hundred people. He has them ask him questions in his lecture - On Being God.

[@roccocarlino067]

Attraction or familiarity is the light intoxication of lust. Basically lust on a subtle level. It will most likely come to you via your eyes or thoughts.

[@bernard637]

Impropriety of the eyes. Seek first the Kingdom of God.

[@dgtabinas-brunet6656]

Hi Christopher! Thank you this, it’s a big help❤. I’m a woman, question here: in what way does a woman lust towards a man, is it if I imagine he is kissing me,How do i tarnish the dignity of a man? Sorry for the stupid questions. I’m married but I do find myself attracted to other men.

[@johnwebb4499]

If you're in doubt, don't even look.

[@earlethecanadian5470]

Amén.

[@TonyKeeh]

I've been wondering, is this teaching all from JPII, or is it Christopher West? I'm looking for something that specifically teaches JPII

[@sethball1319]

For an answer to your question read David L. Schindler’s criticism of this guy.

[@kingdongo4388]

Still no excuses, you’re eyes should only be for God, not for others. Don’t use this as an excuse because a lot of people will.

[@earlethecanadian5470]

Amén. ❤

[@RitchButch]

You can look but you don't touch GB

[@chissstardestroyer]

The answer, man-to-man I'd say about the identification of lust: what's your intent with her? Ask yourself that simple question; also, insist on focusing on her as your coworker, or at least a business partner in terms of morally sound transactions, such as if you see her entering a bookstore you work at: if you can make a morally acceptable sale to her: do so, otherwise simply write it off, with neither malice nor any sort of resentment- as a business deal that flopped would be written off. Simple as that: and as a definite plus: there's no regulations He's got against seeing them as your business partners in one dimension or another. There have been some very good "American Mythology" works that deal with that kind of illicit desire; but if you do happen to find yourself desiring her in any way you mustn't: throw your mindset into a totally different trajectory *immediately*, otherwise you will for sure become a true menace to her!

[@learningguitarmwl3223]

I heard a preacher say one time it's not driving down the street and seeing a pretty woman and thinking she is hot, it's when you turn around and go back to look at her again

[@Mari-tk9kd]

could you also explain how the attraction to men's bodies works, please?

[@Prohortico]

Although men might have an idea of this realm, we’d really need a woman’s perspective on this issue. We can’t ask a man to explain how women are (or aren’t) attracted to men physically in the same way men are towards women.

[@theresarezac7502]

“Appreciating Beauty”… thats a new one.

[@IONov990]

Sometimes appreciating a woman's beauty can lead to envy. (I'm talking about a woman seeing a beautiful woman). Or I wonder if men envy other men who have extremely beautiful wives or girlfriends

[@cassie8844]

Yeah I've heard they compete with that, like the beauty of their wives define their value

[@IONov990]

@@cassie8844 Yikes