Authority/Leadership

The authority structure of Erosology could be represented as a triangle. It descends from the God, Eros, to Socrates, a living example of the philosophical lifestyle that Eros encapsulates. His disciples, Plato and Aristotle, were the first gurus of Erosology. Today, in Australia, there exists two gurus, Jess and Dan. There are fifteen gurus of Erosology who travel world wide. Trainee gurus work in the Symposium sacred centres.

In this way, our leadership structure could be viewed as triadic:

• Metaphysical leadership: Philosophy of Eros, and lived experience of Socrates
• Earthly leadership: guru-led discussion, symposium nights
• Individual leadership: individual-led consideration and work

In order to ascend to Guru status, one must undergo an intensive training process, having affirmed their ability to discursively engage with the philosophical concept of eros as well as eros on the physical level. Adherents are tested on their ability to cope with this next level of training by undergoing a series of rituals (see 'Rituals' link for more information).

Generally, adherents undergo a 13 week program where they live with the Gurus in an offsite location. The program is divided into four parts: reading and discussion of sacred texts (the disembodied erotic practice); altruism; personal reflection/meditation and embodied erotic practice. 

Importantly, the embodied erotic practice can be performed at the adherents discretion. Erosologists do not seek to define, limit, demarcate or construe what it means to have an erotic embodied experience. For this reason, we do not offer the framework for that experience either. Sexual experience is a personal journey, shared with another or with a deeper element of the self. It is about connection and relation. How, when, or with whom one chooses to engage in this practices is entirely up to the individual. Why we engage in that practice is what is critical, and that is to delve deeper into an understanding of one's relationality to the other and to the self, and so to further understand the nature of eros.

Guru: Dan