Sexuality & Sensuality: What's the Difference?

Distinguishing Embodiment, Pleasure, Sensuality, and Sexuality:

How are they related? What differentiates one from the other?

Created By: April Agranoff

Are embodiment, pleasure, and sensuality inherently sexual?

My answer is no. Sexuality can certainly include embodiment, pleasure, and sensuality. However, embodiment, pleasure, and sensuality are not inherently sexual.

Most of us can agree that embodiment does not necessarily entail sexuality, but many people have associations between sensuality and sexuality, as well as pleasure and sexuality.

I included dictionary definitions on the last page to show that although pleasure and sensuality can be sexual, they do not have to be.

Distinctions

Embodiment vs. Sexuality: Although sex often happens in the body, one can be embodied without having sexual feelings.

Pleasure vs. Sexuality: Although sex can be pleasurable, one can experience pleasure without having sexual feelings.

Sensuality vs. Sexuality: Although sex can include enjoyment of the senses, one can enjoy their senses without having sexual feelings.

You can experience embodiment, pleasure, and sensuality without sexuality…..

…..however, you can't experience sensuality without embodiment and pleasure:

Sensuality Formula:

Sensuality = Embodiment + Pleasure

You can have embodiment without pleasure, and you might be able to experience pleasure without embodiment (although I am doubtful). However, you can't experience sensuality without both embodiment and pleasure (at least not according to the definitions I have included). Pleasure is what distinguishes embodiment and sensuality.

We will be working with sensuality and embodiment in our embodiment group, and we'd would love to see you there.

Click here for more information.

Definitions

Embodiment:

" A tangible or visible form of an idea, quality, or feeling."

- Oxford Languages in Google Search

Pleasure:

"A state of gratification."

"Sensual gratification."

"A source of delight or joy."

-Merriam Webster

"A feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment."

- Oxford Languages in Google Search

Sensuality

"The condition of feeling pleasing or fulfilling to the senses."

"The enjoyment, expression, or pursuit of physical, especially sexual, pleasure."

- Oxford Languages in Google Search

Sexuality:

"the quality or state of being sexual:

a: the condition of having sex

b: sexual activity

c: expression of sexual receptivity or interest especially when excessive"

-Merriam Webster