The secret to desire in a long-term relationship | Esther Perel | TED

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  • čas přidán 13. 02. 2013
  • In long-term relationships, we often expect our beloved to be both best friend and erotic partner. But as Esther Perel argues, good and committed sex draws on two conflicting needs: our need for security and our need for surprise. So how do you sustain desire? With wit and eloquence, Perel lets us in on the mystery of erotic intelligence.
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Komentáře • 2,4K

  • @helvidia2181
    @helvidia2181 Před 2 lety +1955

    "the ability to stay connected to one's self in the presence of another" that is the key!

    • @danika6850
      @danika6850 Před 2 lety +10

      Literally read this comment right as she said this haha 🤯

    • @Juanah92
      @Juanah92 Před 2 lety +9

      This is one of my main goals in life at the moment :)

    • @lovely_time1771
      @lovely_time1771 Před 2 lety +1

      Bingo! I know this!

    • @thacasualpoolplaya
      @thacasualpoolplaya Před rokem +3

      long winded version of "be yourself"

    • @lukeweyant6771
      @lukeweyant6771 Před rokem +10

      Why do I have a hard time staying connected to myself when I'm in the presence of a lot of others? I feel I close up a lot and can't be myself.

  • @tinyhuong2152
    @tinyhuong2152 Před 7 lety +7850

    When you are single AF and you still keep watching about relationship things.

    • @beth8775
      @beth8775 Před 5 lety +573

      Tiny Hương It's like reading the research before you start writing the paper.

    • @Adorrae
      @Adorrae Před 5 lety +127

      @@beth8775 Or pouring salt onto the wound of something you'll never get.

    • @beth8775
      @beth8775 Před 5 lety +138

      @@Adorrae Maybe it is your pessimism that's the problem.

    • @Adorrae
      @Adorrae Před 5 lety +51

      @@beth8775 To be single all my life is a track record of proof that don't require subjective speculation.

    • @bagfootbandit8745
      @bagfootbandit8745 Před 5 lety +53

      If Freud was (partially) right about one thing, it's that sexual desire pervades our psyche. This talk can be helpful for any desire and any relationship, not just a sexual relationship with a significant other.

  • @misery8264
    @misery8264 Před 4 lety +4201

    Went to the cinema with my boyfriend the other week. The lady at the cashier had her first day and messed a few things up. She panicked and apologized over and over again. He told her to calm down, that it's totally fine and that she's doing an awesome job. Then he made jokes about his first day at work. I love him even more in moments like these.

    • @annes5986
      @annes5986 Před 4 lety +72

      ❤️ That's beautiful

    • @oliviagrace1826
      @oliviagrace1826 Před 4 lety +145

      Love this. I introduced my boyfriend to my extended family at a Christmas party last week (he already knows my immediate family but it was the first time he met my uncle’s family and cousins etc). A little while into the night my cousin’s husband accidentally dropped a bottle on the kitchen floor and stood there watching while my mother stopped what she was doing to clear up. Without thinking twice my boyfriend went over and helped her clear the smashed glass from the floor. Watching him do that felt like one of those moments you described. He’s such a gem and I’m so thankful to have him

    • @BoucherYe
      @BoucherYe Před 4 lety +34

      You like when your boyfriend flirts with other girls? That’s weird af

    • @misery8264
      @misery8264 Před 4 lety +356

      @@BoucherYe ...Soo he's not allowed to be nice to other women cause that's automatically flirting? Glad I'm not that kind of girlfriend tbh :D

    • @malorie8557
      @malorie8557 Před 4 lety +219

      @@BoucherYe 😂😂 how sad that is. To think that a man has to be flirting if he is nice to a woman.

  • @McFraneth
    @McFraneth Před 5 lety +3712

    I love watching my partner from a distance. I fall back and just watch him. I love the curve of his jaw and the nape of his neck. I love seeing him laughing with others. I feel proud of him.

    • @Videoskuker
      @Videoskuker Před 4 lety +55

      i think youre a good wife to hi!

    • @kevinzachary9824
      @kevinzachary9824 Před 4 lety +98

      Thanks for reminding how alone I am...

    • @karim-a7469
      @karim-a7469 Před 4 lety +38

      France Clémence Fradet He must really value you. What a blessing.

    • @blackbook90
      @blackbook90 Před 4 lety +83

      I find that too. I love looking at him. Especially if he’s concentrating. He’s the most intelligent person I’ve ever met, I love watching him think a problem through.

    • @MickeyMouse-el5bk
      @MickeyMouse-el5bk Před 4 lety +17

      U seem great! Now I know why my girl likes just watching me.

  • @japikolee
    @japikolee Před 10 lety +2890

    What I got from it is: you (both) have to be happy with who you are in order to be happy in a relationship. If you have a passion, if you are fulfilled in other field than love, you will give yourselves, and at the same time - each other - space to pursue that. Hence all the things she mentioned: no turnoffs caused by not feeling worthy of pleasure, no turnoffs caused by overly protectiveness, great turn-on when seeing each other being yourselves. Sure, I simplified it, but if you get individual happiness, your chances to be happy in a relationship and in bed are so much greater.

    • @AlexaThinks
      @AlexaThinks Před 10 lety +124

      the importance of individuality

    • @Misslotusification
      @Misslotusification Před 9 lety +5

      Husstle Bunnii and sharing

    • @zethcorbett1020
      @zethcorbett1020 Před 9 lety +17

      japikolee Also I think the 'novelty' part at 8:37 to simplify it too - too project (together) what you truly desire.

    • @b1mw93
      @b1mw93 Před 5 lety +2

      Well duuuhhhhhh!

    • @sidilicious11
      @sidilicious11 Před 5 lety +7

      japikolee communication skills and play, a bonus!

  • @WilfridaMacharia
    @WilfridaMacharia Před 8 lety +996

    Mystery it doesn't mean always going to different places its looking at the same thing through different eyes...best fact from this Esther Perel.

    • @WilfridaMacharia
      @WilfridaMacharia Před 8 lety +2

      andrew johnstone well that is your opinion and you're entitled to it.

    • @r.b.4611
      @r.b.4611 Před 8 lety +6

      +Wilfrida Macharia Did you miss that joke?

    • @indigom1688
      @indigom1688 Před 5 lety +16

      its proust fam

  • @marcryan658
    @marcryan658 Před 6 lety +2419

    *doesn't have girlfriend
    *has test tomorrow
    *in youtube at 2:00am
    *continues watching

    • @wtfhowbizarre1946
      @wtfhowbizarre1946 Před 5 lety +20

      * has an Assassin's Creed profile picture. (That game probably scares the ladies away)

    • @KFosMe
      @KFosMe Před 5 lety +9

      2:00am and watching this too, bud.

    • @StephJ0seph
      @StephJ0seph Před 5 lety +6

      Same, im not in a relationship-- it's late, and I have homework to do and school tomorrow but yet I'm attentively watching this video 😆I think it's because she's so memorizing and engaging to listen to.

    • @GEORGIANMANDAVID
      @GEORGIANMANDAVID Před 5 lety +5

      So? Did you pass good sir?

    • @minalala6136
      @minalala6136 Před 5 lety +2

      Hahaha LMAO on your comment😂 #relatingsomuch

  • @beniciosgirl
    @beniciosgirl Před 4 lety +583

    This woman constantly floors me with her eloquence and insight.

    • @RicardoDinizPortugal
      @RicardoDinizPortugal Před 4 lety +9

      She is beyond brilliant

    • @cammyminott
      @cammyminott Před rokem +7

      She's a machine gun for psychology. I love her.

    • @miselokulula6697
      @miselokulula6697 Před rokem

      It's the French accent for me

    • @sassenachdragon
      @sassenachdragon Před 11 měsíci +1

      That’s what really gets me is the eloquence… but I can see why she is that way, she speaks multiple languages so she’s able to operate in the higher register vocabulary but primarily because she explores the topic so thoroughly with her patients and has the explore the use of language in to turn to work with them and express herself in her work…

    • @elisabethminet4676
      @elisabethminet4676 Před 5 měsíci

      Oui elle est formidable 👍

  • @thegoodfellow41
    @thegoodfellow41 Před 7 lety +1228

    Her vocabulary has to be maxed prestige.

    • @miimaa4741
      @miimaa4741 Před 6 lety +2

      ikr!

    • @citizenofvirginity
      @citizenofvirginity Před 4 lety +7

      Cameron Bass Jane Austen level 😭

    • @thrivinginNL
      @thrivinginNL Před 4 lety +106

      Agreed. She speaks 8 languages, and I can hear the influence of several in her vocab. She uses a lot of English words that are cognates in other languages. Learning other languages is a wonderful way to improve your vocab in English!

    • @jl9641
      @jl9641 Před 4 lety +11

      @@thrivinginNL So good for your brain too. And soul : )

    • @darkandlovely01
      @darkandlovely01 Před 3 lety +3

      John Whitfield Yes. I think she’s French because she used many words derivated from Latin, regularly used in French.

  • @GininaPulcinella
    @GininaPulcinella Před 8 lety +1911

    This woman is so brilliant. Probably the best speaker I have ever seen at a Ted Talk.

    • @mamababa302
      @mamababa302 Před 7 lety +2

      Ginina Pulcinella will call

    • @earlygail
      @earlygail Před 6 lety +1

      Ginina Pulcinella agreed

    • @aristotle736
      @aristotle736 Před 6 lety +1

      Ginina Pulcinella I agree.I'd stack her up against ANY Ted Talker.

    • @wise-up-parenting
      @wise-up-parenting Před 6 lety +5

      Agree, one of the best! I just wanted her to give more specific strategies. But I've heard her book and podcasts and so I know her suggestions such as scheduling in time for intimacy.

    • @stratusleadershipdevelopme637
      @stratusleadershipdevelopme637 Před 6 lety +7

      Ginina Pulcinella her book Mating in Captivity is well worth the read.

  • @cambriatevis6907
    @cambriatevis6907 Před 5 lety +380

    What I got from this: when desire leaves a long term relationship it is because one feels responsible for the other and is willing to give up their desire for connectedness. To fix this the other must let go of the one and let them know that you are still going to be there when they come back. Ask yourself "When do I turn myself off?" and "When do I turn myself on?" Communicate these answers with each other and use it to foreplay every minute of your day.

    • @SiBorg8A
      @SiBorg8A Před rokem +2

      Things just get old. It's unreasonable to expect things to remain alive.

    • @dawnhalver
      @dawnhalver Před rokem +55

      @@SiBorg8A yes it is. Because you think it is of course, but also things don’t just remain alive. You have to keep feeding a fire or it dies out. You have to water a plant or it dies. sometimes you have to plant new seeds altogether! And just to be clear, in the figure cents that I’m using here, you can absolutely do all of those things with the same person you have been with

  • @Gk2003m
    @Gk2003m Před 2 lety +48

    3:40: nail on the head. We ask one person to provide everything we used to ask of an entire village…. And then we wonder why marriages crumble. It is quite simply unfair to put all that on one other human being. It is mentally and spiritually exhausting; it turns us all into vampires.

  • @arhabersham
    @arhabersham Před 10 lety +1171

    I bet her husband felt SO MUCH drawn to her when she was delivering this talk :D

    • @XEinstein
      @XEinstein Před 4 lety +25

      Why do you assume she has a husband? Just because she's a woman doesn't mean she's attracted to men.

    • @MalvaLila
      @MalvaLila Před 4 lety +198

      Her husband is a well known psychologist working with trauma. Maybe he just happen to know that?

    • @schweizer93
      @schweizer93 Před 4 lety +53

      @@XEinstein how DARE you Alfredo does assume instead of actually KNOW that she does indeed have a husband? Stupid dumbass comment without any value. Her Husband is Jack Saul btw.

    • @schweizer93
      @schweizer93 Před 4 lety

      @Gibson Trevor and you're scam!

    • @buckassnerd1906
      @buckassnerd1906 Před 4 lety +19

      Or all of this is a ruse. She's as miserable as the rest of us.

  • @smitty4shizzles925
    @smitty4shizzles925 Před 8 lety +2304

    Wonderful speaker, this woman knows her stuff! Confident, elegant and touching, she inspires women who want to pursue their passions and curiosity.

    • @Chewanguy
      @Chewanguy Před 7 lety +4

      Тhе Wоmen Мen Adоrе (Аnd Nеvеr Want Tо Lеаvе) => twitter.com/3ac3041c00204e45d/status/804693412402241537 Тhе seсret tо dеsire in а lоng tеrm reеlatiоnshiр Еsthеr Реrеl

    • @analyzehistory5656
      @analyzehistory5656 Před 7 lety +1

      That account does not exists. (04/06/2017)

    • @wise-up-parenting
      @wise-up-parenting Před 6 lety +3

      Agree, love her, inspiring!

    • @globalgourmand
      @globalgourmand Před 5 lety +7

      If you like the way she talks about relationships, you might check out her podcast, "Where Should We Begin?"

    • @JohnSmith-vy4lh
      @JohnSmith-vy4lh Před 4 lety +7

      I think she is addressing the emotionally underdeveloped people. Grown up people know how to sustain a marriage.

  • @r.e.tucker3223
    @r.e.tucker3223 Před 9 měsíci +21

    Married 42 years. In every video of hers I have watched, she's been brilliant.

  • @panscentralexpresspresents4733

    I've always had this nostalgic feeling about my husband, like when i look at him, its home, its my best friend, its this person i know, but i also feel simultaneously Like im looking at a stranger, who i could never even begin to know... I think that is the fine line you must dance upon, when you realize that you can never truly know any one, you can't hear their thoughts for sure, you can't even be one hundred percent sure they aren't lying to you. Whose to say any one has ever told the truth? we just dont know.... Well when you realize that... if you can let go of it, like release all stress that comes from that ultimate truth... No fear, or insecurity, paranoia or jealousy. You accept them for what you think they are, but they are mysterious because you dont know, factually what your dealing with when it comes to other human beings, and theres a huge illusion of "familiarity" or "knowingness".... You play with that illusion, of "knowing who some one is" and you feel at home... But you know you will never know them, so you play with that illusion, to be interested, to want to know, to want to learn the mysteries of this other person... And you get to know some things about them, and that makes the connection, and that feeds the desire for security..... But your always longing for more, because you know, deep down, You'll never really know him, or understand him... You'll never be him, so you can just play this illusion to get as close as you can, because whats unattainable is always desirable

  • @jinxieunlucky
    @jinxieunlucky Před 7 lety +1120

    Every time I scroll through the comments on this talk, there are always so many people who had something click in their mind and it resonates with them. Esther is an amazing speaker and it's so rare to see such a positive response to a TED talk on youtube. I came across this talk a few years ago, and it really helped shape my understanding of relationships. My partner and I have been together for almost 2 years, and any time I felt like that desire was waning I thought about why I was turning myself off, and being able to have that inward reflection rather than trying to figure out what my partner "wasn't giving me" made such a huge difference in how we would get over a rut. I feel like every couple should watch this talk.

    • @jenster29
      @jenster29 Před 4 lety +16

      Are you still together now?

    • @adebowalegbenga4316
      @adebowalegbenga4316 Před 2 lety +4

      U can listen to Esther speak and be excited about what you hear, but in practice it's not that simple.
      You have to practice loneness and self-discipline to keep relationships going. There is always a desire to try another person after sometime, how do u wrestle with that?
      If you find yourself waning in love after 2yrs, it's over familiarity crawling in too soon. Space and Distancing is key!!

    • @Dvshrma
      @Dvshrma Před 2 lety +2

      I hope you two are still together

    • @sueprice9639
      @sueprice9639 Před rokem +9

      Two years? Thats like 5 minutes. 7 years is the test.

    • @charlottegee6103
      @charlottegee6103 Před 6 měsíci

      Not necessarily sue, everyone’s relationships are different

  • @debblank20814
    @debblank20814 Před 11 lety +246

    On our 51st Valentine's Day, I can attest to the truth of this presentation. Excellent words to live by.

    • @thegoat-hn2tn
      @thegoat-hn2tn Před 3 lety +4

      59 years now. How’s it going?

    • @makennapercy6515
      @makennapercy6515 Před 3 lety +28

      I've always wondered... are couples that stay together for several years just the kinkiest people behind closed doors... its a mystery

    • @LoLo-be2ed
      @LoLo-be2ed Před 2 lety +6

      @@makennapercy6515 yes

    • @kbanghart
      @kbanghart Před rokem

      ​@@makennapercy6515 me and my wife are :)

  • @sasha_nivar
    @sasha_nivar Před 2 lety +426

    This talk has lived in my DNA since I first saw it. It has been one of the strongest guides to my decision making and it has unequivocally changed my life for the better. For those and many other reasons Im grateful for Esther for her Interest energy and effort in collecting her research and Ted for giving her a platform to speak and share this powerful message

  • @garnetsword
    @garnetsword Před 6 lety +474

    Death.
    Couples that understand that their time is limited(shorter than it seems) are always bring the best they can into the relationship.

    • @casanuevorealestateservice9998
      @casanuevorealestateservice9998 Před 5 lety +2

      Agree!!!

    • @buckassnerd1906
      @buckassnerd1906 Před 4 lety +6

      Or they're waiting for me to die

    • @donaldshelton1720
      @donaldshelton1720 Před 4 lety

      Garnet S Word o

    • @meadowrae1491
      @meadowrae1491 Před 4 lety +11

      Honestly deathbed perspective made my life so much better. It's like when they talk about the Holocaust victims. Some didn't die, and some lived.

    • @AbbyMcGowan
      @AbbyMcGowan Před 4 lety +3

      Garnet S Word i agree, understanding how short life is makes it easy to stay committed to someone

  • @AdjrianNickelodeon
    @AdjrianNickelodeon Před 8 lety +1240

    Responsibility and desire don't work together.
    Erotic couples know how to resurrect passion.
    Intentional and willful Spontaneity.
    Thank you so much, Esther.

    • @laurakootnekoff7845
      @laurakootnekoff7845 Před 6 lety +2

      AdjrianNickelodeon h

    • @jmgmetal
      @jmgmetal Před 3 lety +28

      AdjrianNickelodeon Desire is wanting to eat the junk food and responsibility is eating the healthy food.

    • @michaelstrohmaier402
      @michaelstrohmaier402 Před 3 lety +26

      @@jmgmetal if you condition your brain, so that eating the healthy food is desire, you win!

    • @johnsiffredi9882
      @johnsiffredi9882 Před 3 lety +3

      I didn't understand this adjrian! Could you please explain it to me, couldn't you?

    • @cherishn6008
      @cherishn6008 Před 3 lety

      @@michaelstrohmaier402 I do this

  • @cammyminott
    @cammyminott Před rokem +127

    When you can captivate a room of younger, middle age and older people who identify and/or at the very least, attempt to digest what you are saying, you know you are onto something powerful. Thank you, Esther ❤

  • @therelationshipseries3624
    @therelationshipseries3624 Před 4 lety +162

    The secret is to never forget what started the desire in the first place adventure, lust, conviction and uncertainty. As Tony Robbins says the more uncertainty you can accept the more fulfilling your relationship will be.

  • @kucingpundung
    @kucingpundung Před 3 lety +39

    "Desire need space"; desire= to want, love= to have

  • @japikolee
    @japikolee Před 10 lety +215

    What I got from it is: you (both) have to be happy with yourselves to be happy in a relationship. If you have a passion and are fulfilled in other fields than love, you will give yourself, and at the same time - each other, space to pursue that. And from that come all the things she mentioned: no turnoffs caused by not feeling worthy of pleasure, no turnoffs caused by overly protectiveness. Sure, it's not that simple, but if you get individual happiness, your chances of happiness in relationship and in bed are so much greater.

  • @heatherbaker4538
    @heatherbaker4538 Před 6 lety +640

    When she said that people expect lust to fall from the heaven when you're folding the laundry, I thought "It'd fall from heaven if HE was folding the laundry" XD

    • @UAPInfoDeutschland
      @UAPInfoDeutschland Před 5 lety +14

      Heather Baker I laughed so hard at this 😂😂👌

    • @zarcero21
      @zarcero21 Před 4 lety +27

      And if you lived alone you would still be folding your laundry. What you really want is a maid, and resent the fact that you are his.

    • @danielmaine45
      @danielmaine45 Před 4 lety +25

      Nope, if he started folding the laundry, you would just want him to wash the dishes next...

    • @Raddiebaddie
      @Raddiebaddie Před 4 lety +12

      Your love language is probably acts of service ☺️

    • @JohannesWiberg
      @JohannesWiberg Před 4 lety +7

      @@danielmaine45 but the fact that he wasn't already folding the laundry or washing the dishes would probably mean that he (you?) wouldn't really deserve her lust.

  • @LorenzoGoriniFrisbee
    @LorenzoGoriniFrisbee Před rokem +19

    I have to say that I like when my partner needs me. I need to have that relationship for many reasons. Sometimes she needs me to be there with her. And sometimes I need her to be with me. I don't simply want her, I actually need her.
    For sure we can survive even without each other, but it would be a much more miserable life.

  • @sethpeters4552
    @sethpeters4552 Před 2 lety +15

    Radiant and confident while in your element - this is where the majority of people I know have attracted their mates. This is why when you focus on doing your own thing and not on relying on other people for your happiness, you find "the one". How quickly we forget this..

  • @kittehnoir
    @kittehnoir Před 8 lety +361

    "in desire, we want a bridge to cross. or in other words, fire needs air. desire needs space."
    "it's when i'm looking at my partner from a comfortable distance. where this other person that is so familiar, so known, is momentarily once again somewhat mysterious, somewhat elusive. and in this space, between me and the other lies the erotic unknown. lies that movement toward the other. because sometimes as proust says mystery is not about traveling to new places but it's about looking with new eyes."

    • @mrs_d3n1mx28
      @mrs_d3n1mx28 Před 6 lety +38

      Steph Chen I liked that part best, about the comfortable distance where you finally get to see your partner in a way that you really only ever catch glimpses of. once in a while you get to sit back, safely, and watch them exist in their own world, where they know what they know and they do things with intention, backed by their own knowledge and life experience, of which you are not a part of. it's thrilling to see them in their own world, its impressive to see how they operate, sometimes without reference to you, or the role you play, or the world that you inhabit. it makes you appreciate all that they bring to the table of your relationship, and reminds you that there is so much more depth to every human than just what our flat surfaces bump into every day. it's exciting, makes you celebrate them for the person they are, and it's humbling to see how big or how little of a role your world has on theirs.

    • @amandabrisbane8716
      @amandabrisbane8716 Před 5 lety +2

      Steph Chen - very erudite

    • @jazzbirdbecky
      @jazzbirdbecky Před 5 lety

      Steph Chen touché

    • @rafael55
      @rafael55 Před 4 lety

      I don't think I have ever read a more intelligent comment. Cool.

    • @blissfulbaboon
      @blissfulbaboon Před 4 lety

      Keep feeling the mystery

  • @SpeedLimit88
    @SpeedLimit88 Před 11 lety +38

    The part about being most drawn to your partner when they're doing what their passionate about... I totally get that.

  • @blackdome98
    @blackdome98 Před rokem +163

    Wow. What especially struck me was her explaining in what situations people feel drawn to their partner.
    My partner is very passionate over text and when I visit them, something that is not as prevelent in me.
    But when I see them perform, talk about a passion project and just express so much of their energy, I feel such pure happiness inside myself

    • @damonm3
      @damonm3 Před rokem +3

      Was going to like but unliked cause you’re at 69 likes

    • @jnewgot
      @jnewgot Před rokem +1

      @@damonm3 Well, good news, someone less immature liked for you.
      It wasn't me.

    • @damonm3
      @damonm3 Před rokem

      @@jnewgot wow, so not fun. Looser!

    • @jnewgot
      @jnewgot Před rokem

      @@damonm3 Your bowels must be loose too many vowels.

    • @GwaiZai
      @GwaiZai Před rokem

      @@jnewgot Damon's joke aroused my erotic self

  • @ralfj.1740
    @ralfj.1740 Před rokem +70

    Great speech!
    Sexual desire and passion cannot be really powerful without space, distance, mystery, uncertainty and naughtyness.

  • @pedrosantiago1149
    @pedrosantiago1149 Před 2 lety +52

    This is hands down the best Ted Talk I've ever viewed, almost 9 years later and I can still learn from this. Thank you.

  • @cheerfulsox
    @cheerfulsox Před 2 lety +60

    honestly, one of my favourite ted talks or at least the one I go back to the most. so many powerful, genuine and inspiring messages, you can really feel how she devoted her career with the purpose of helping people navigate their relationships. love the village metaphor too, think about it a lot if we're not expecting too much from just one person.

  • @86bushi
    @86bushi Před 3 lety +39

    Genius at work. Impressed by the tempo, the jokes, the insight and the distictions and the fun she is having giving her talk. And this is already zeven years old now but it feels totally now and for ever.

  • @AllAboutBeatsnLyrics
    @AllAboutBeatsnLyrics Před 6 lety +29

    I liked a lot of her points. My disagreement is with care and responsibility. It can be a turnoff, but sometimes knowing that you are cared for is a turn on. Knowing how much your care is appreciated, is a turn on itself.

  • @themodernlovebox5651
    @themodernlovebox5651 Před 7 lety +22

    Ester Perel has so much to offer us and our relationships! Truly an inspiration!

  • @ash12317
    @ash12317 Před 4 lety +180

    "There is no neediness in desire."

  • @Fiebi95
    @Fiebi95 Před 4 lety +72

    I'm so greatful to have access to the thoughts of genius people like this woman. I'm only 24 and I am already learning such important things which takes others a life time to understand, if at all.

  • @jeffkustes8563
    @jeffkustes8563 Před rokem +19

    You are without a doubt the best lecturer I have ever heard. My common law wife just left me a few weeks ago, and you have helped me know some of the reasons why. Thank you.

  • @nadavharary
    @nadavharary Před 8 lety +578

    Thank you Esther Perel for stimulating my brain's G spot with that talk!

    • @clearskinhabits
      @clearskinhabits Před 5 lety

      ;)

    • @jonathandavid3298
      @jonathandavid3298 Před 4 lety +4

      I would like to take you to dinner with no agenda other than great conversation to stimulate your brain's G spot even further.

    • @theshanny8
      @theshanny8 Před 4 lety +2

      Probably spit their water at you when you say something funny... lol. I tried really hard but i couldnt resist 😂

    • @dirt420
      @dirt420 Před 4 lety

      ON GOD

    • @angelahong7949
      @angelahong7949 Před 4 lety +1

      Ew

  • @ej2746
    @ej2746 Před 8 lety +35

    I just love Esther Perel she is so accurate about the dynamic of relationship. It's nice that she's helping us all to be aware of the pit fall of relationships. Awareness is always a good thing to prevent pit falls in relationships, not to say we should think about it all the time that we get paranoid, but to use the tool how to improve and prevent through communication between couples.

  • @joinery11
    @joinery11 Před 4 lety +6

    Few people speak this much sense so concisely, thankyou for your wisdom

  • @jorgeromera3861
    @jorgeromera3861 Před 4 lety +12

    Eye-opening, mind-blowing speech! Human mind is prone to paradox, and that fact often puzzles us. We need people like Esther Perel to help us understand that what seems chaotic or simply weird has an inner pattern.

  • @GabrielKerr
    @GabrielKerr Před 6 lety +43

    This is excellent. It's a topic that she intelligently explores by going beyond just simply "living into" more of your own true identity and autonomy in order to experience desire again. She's actually dealing with some of the key struggles of humanity and what it takes to be healthily and fully the "you" by looking into the roots of trauma *SO THAT* you can experience freedom in desire.
    Like she said, you can be burdened with others fears that have kept your autonomy at bay from a very young age. This is so important to pay attention to. We learn to wear our parents fears like clothes we were never meant to wear, and that do not fit us. I loved her example of how you could literally be physically away from your parental figures who clinged to you for security, yet not actually "away" from them psychologically, until you learn to let them be responsible for themselves.
    I really appreciate how she shows how these caretaker type of dynamics can get confused with love:
    "If you don't care for me in this way, than you don't love me" is something many people have lived under since childhood. They have chosen to sacrifice their own freedoms so not lose connection with stability.
    Fascinating to even make that connection! We humans are complex and have deeply rooted identities that need to be explored, drawn out, and healed in order to experience freedom in our sexuality.
    The key, I believe, is to find out what we fear, why we are afraid of it, and what it would be like if we didn't fear it anymore. Who would we be? Where would we go? Where would our security come from, or more importantly, where would we find our securities tied to if avoiding our fears was not the central focus? And then the next step is to bravely and boldly go where we have avoided going for so long. This takes time, patience, and guidance that we can trust. It also take tremendous courage!
    Losing security and stability is a massive fear for many and it's often rooted in trauma from a young age. Someone may have attempted to live into their own good desires to explore and learn as a child, but then something fell apart, or they were punished for it. This robs a child of the necessary tools to become an adult. Adults need to be responsible, yet children cannot even know how to even begin to be responsible without being taught. They lack the tools under their belts that are learned throughout years of living life on their own.
    Genius.

    • @blazemusing5491
      @blazemusing5491 Před rokem +5

      "Where would we find our securities tied to if avoiding our fears was not the central focus?" Such a strong, reflective point which summarised something I've personally often considered in more recent times. Learning to live more confidently, with stronger self-love and less fear about others conclusions on my decisions.

    • @cmillspa1
      @cmillspa1 Před 7 měsíci +1

      This is a really good comment, thanks for taking the time and thought to write it.

  • @missFindlesticks
    @missFindlesticks Před 5 lety +196

    Separate bedrooms is one way, you don't have to listen to them snore or release wind, you have a bed to yourself and the added bonus is sneaking into each other's beds for fun, it leaves room for mystery and fun, gives you both a break, the other alternative, don't live together

    • @sillyexplicitcontent
      @sillyexplicitcontent Před 5 lety +23

      Yeah I've changed my view on this a lot since childhood. It used to be mystifying, now I totally get it and see how it could work for some. Also has the bonus of making consent more explicit and making it harder to take the other for granted.

    • @mommabear5059
      @mommabear5059 Před 5 lety +26

      missFindlesticks I love sleeping with my hubs. He’s always warm and I love his hairy legs. But then again, he doesn’t snore. That could probably change the way I feel.

    • @mommabear5059
      @mommabear5059 Před 5 lety +6

      TheBeofox I don’t know. I guess I’ll worry about it if it happens.

    • @jazzbirdbecky
      @jazzbirdbecky Před 5 lety +29

      missFindlesticks I agree. Lots of space - honey and I live in separate places and we are together once a week. And believe me we are crazy about each other. Best relationship EVER. Deep passion

    • @zarcero21
      @zarcero21 Před 4 lety +8

      Separate house would be fine as well.

  • @dkelban
    @dkelban Před 4 lety +29

    Love, security, and predictability, and desire , need not oppose each other. Gratitude for having found a loved one, for who they are, and how that’s a hard to find commodity, can lead to ongoing passion. So can realistic expectations: nothing but nothing stays the same in life.

  • @alibeaumont-filder3185
    @alibeaumont-filder3185 Před 3 lety +1

    When desire has been absent because of personal journeys or of personal self . Radiant and confident .. or when a familiar laughs.. and freedom to surrender and feel safe - this lady truly makes it comprehensible to us all.

  • @doctorbhanu
    @doctorbhanu Před 11 lety +16

    To Draw our attention for 20 minutes, in a talk without an audiovisual aid, it needs real substance, which this presentation has. Wonderful, with great insight into the issue.

  • @BreakBomb
    @BreakBomb Před 11 lety +153

    seemed pretty clear to me: to keep your desire for another person alive you need to separate yourself enough to where you can make room for the "want" rather than the "have". you DO need the whole 20 minutes to fully sink this idea in though, IMO.

    • @baswold7979
      @baswold7979 Před 3 lety

      Wat

    • @mahijb4055
      @mahijb4055 Před 3 lety +2

      I got it instantly. Thanks.

    • @panama2468
      @panama2468 Před 2 lety

      Some people need a foundation, and proof in order to get the whole picture. Be glad we're not them. But don't put them down

  • @slipnpitch1894
    @slipnpitch1894 Před 3 lety +6

    Esther Perel is amazing. Insight, clarity, truth.

  • @laurarose3602
    @laurarose3602 Před 5 lety +26

    Relationships serve to show us how we show up in relationship to ourself.

  • @jjapa1188
    @jjapa1188 Před 10 lety +56

    How can anyone have given this a thumbs-down? Esther's presentation was absolutely amazing.

  • @coly4ever
    @coly4ever Před 4 lety +46

    She gives so much information and wisdom in that video and I’m like “hold on, I want to take notes”. I love how she integrates her psychology knowledge to make it relevant for the subject of desire.

  • @stevenvater8720
    @stevenvater8720 Před rokem +1

    That wonderful woman gave one of the best lectures I've ever seen. She is a brilliant communicator not just in content but in delevery a true MASTERCLASS

  • @TheTexican05
    @TheTexican05 Před rokem +7

    Esther Perel = Belgium’s most valuable export. National treasure. 🙌 ❤ 🇧🇪
    (JC Van Damme was a close 2nd)
    This woman’s confidence, wisdom and eloquence are something the world continually needs more of.

  • @kevinboniface8150
    @kevinboniface8150 Před 6 lety +17

    This is one of the smartest women ive listened to in my life, thank you

  • @Carmen-mp3je
    @Carmen-mp3je Před 8 lety +10

    wooooaaa woooaaa all of my respects!!! you talk like a real professional, like someone who really cares for investigation and understanding of a subject... now you have a big fan!!! so many true tings, like wanting intimacy but space at the same time, and, well, just god, the whole 20 min were golden words!!!

  • @karmamelk9
    @karmamelk9 Před 5 lety +5

    Wow! She's one of the best TED talk speakers I've watched so far. Great presentation and information!

  • @elainedevilliers3080
    @elainedevilliers3080 Před 3 lety +45

    I think real desire transcends physicality. To truly be bonded to someone in a way that your passion for them doesn't fade is when you connect to them on an internal, personal level. People think they love one another but if they look deeper into why they are together or why the picked that person, the answer is in the word picked. To pick someone implies motive, even if it is unconscious. To be drawn to someone is a different matter to picking someone. To be drawn to someone is an internal longing that comes from a different space and so cannot be exhausted because it was never based on a consequence. That's why drawn is despite yourself, picked has reasons, reasons change and go away, but if you love and desire someone from a place you can't explain how can it run out. There is a difference between desire and convenience, there is a difference between wanting someone and wanting something from someone. True desire comes out of you ,you don't have to create it ,it's no effort because it flows out of you. People only have to make an effort because the desire was never really there in the first place. And that stems back to the fact that people tend to marry or date for the wrong reasons. While security and building stability are obvious things that couples should strive for you should not pick a partner on that basis. You are drawn to someone for a reason, you then as a team exploit each other's strengths and weaknesses to the benefit of the unit. If you do this you will have someone you want in good times and bad, you can build a business and even a life with anyone but if you want desire and passion to last its about picking the right person, there is no way around it. If you find you lack desire along the way you need to be very honest about wwether or not it was ever really there.

    • @ThatGumYouLiked
      @ThatGumYouLiked Před 2 lety +12

      With all due respect, and maybe you’re deliberately doing so, but this is basically the opposite of what she is presenting in the talk

    • @tonybrandt3740
      @tonybrandt3740 Před 2 lety +1

      @@ThatGumYouLiked 😂😂😂

  • @SS-ub5qz
    @SS-ub5qz Před 9 lety +232

    Every single idea she conveyed is counterintuitive to current cultural ideas of love. If you follow the ideas conveyed in every single pop song about love you will ultimately achieve the opposite of what she is getting at

    • @zahn8940
      @zahn8940 Před 9 lety +10

      wow extremely insightful sina

    • @qetioup
      @qetioup Před 8 lety +47

      +Sina Sayedinazad Actually if you are getting your information on love from current pop songs, you could not have a worst source. Mainstream media today is polluted by oversexualization. What you are listening to is not love, it's lust, what that kind of "love" adds up to is this: the one night stand experince or 2 months sort of relationship that burns down to nothing, because it was fueled by appearances and superficiality. Better place to start looking for deeper love? - try Lord Byron, he may not have the snazzy beat attached and the catchy repetitions, but he's all heart (rather than other bellow the belt driven organs pop songs like to channel).

    • @nicholaskevin1698
      @nicholaskevin1698 Před 7 lety +15

      This what I've been noticing as well. And I started to listen to my favorite love songs and singing back to myself as in myself is the object of my love instead.

    • @bigtoepapa
      @bigtoepapa Před 6 lety +7

      If you believe current cultural ideas thru pop songs, Then pop culture has done its job

    • @samgtabu
      @samgtabu Před 4 lety +3

      @Rob sadly we have seen a rise of people killing their partners/spouses/crush because of this.

  • @niftyniff1
    @niftyniff1 Před 9 lety +21

    beautifully explained. basically the whole point lays in the attachment theory. very psychodynamic, love it!

  • @aariapoor
    @aariapoor Před rokem +4

    She's one of those unique ones who spreads original information, not some repetitive collection of others' right and wrong ideas, and in a unique way which is funny and enjoyable too.

  • @iestrrguthrie4620
    @iestrrguthrie4620 Před 2 lety +1

    This lady has something to say and does a remarkable presentation on her subject matter. My hats off to her talent

  • @sigmacentauri6191
    @sigmacentauri6191 Před 6 lety +46

    This lady is brilliant. Bless her for articulating these concepts and sharing this wisdom.

  • @LunaLu-00
    @LunaLu-00 Před 8 lety +512

    crisis of desire = crisis of imagination

    • @PacificMoceans
      @PacificMoceans Před 6 lety +2

      Luna L !!!!!!!! right

    • @thewolf14
      @thewolf14 Před 4 lety +2

      Exactly right

    • @MickeyMouse-el5bk
      @MickeyMouse-el5bk Před 4 lety +3

      Spanish wisdom:" The perfect woman is a lady on the street, a mother at home and a white in bed."

    • @EnemyAce88
      @EnemyAce88 Před 4 lety +8

      Or crisis of cell phone addiction. That's what's killing my marriage.

    • @29aaronjones
      @29aaronjones Před 4 lety +3

      @@EnemyAce88 me too. The fucking technology. means no fucking

  • @janetmelton6890
    @janetmelton6890 Před 2 lety +33

    Never lose that sexual tension! Whether it be a sense of humor; a needed hug; or a Zen moment. Desire does not fade.

    • @user-fw1wd2gb1w
      @user-fw1wd2gb1w Před 2 lety +7

      As long as your partner is not asexual. I have been married to an asexual for 50 years. I can honestly say that my wife has never had any REAL desire to have any sexual relations with me. It was all her "wifely duty".

    • @janetmelton6890
      @janetmelton6890 Před 2 lety

      @@user-fw1wd2gb1w Is it possible for a man to be asexual?

    • @user-fw1wd2gb1w
      @user-fw1wd2gb1w Před 2 lety +2

      @@janetmelton6890 Last August, my wife and I discovered that she is asexual. I read everything I could find about it while my wife prefers to ignore it. I learned that it is possible for a man to be asexual. However, it seems to be more common with females.

    • @CORI177
      @CORI177 Před rokem

      @@janetmelton6890 yes

    • @TomikaKelly
      @TomikaKelly Před 7 měsíci

      ​@@janetmelton6890 Um...Janet, Asexuality is a sexuality. The same way it's possible for a man to be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexuality, etc. a man can also be Asexual....🙃

  • @tblott8783
    @tblott8783 Před rokem +7

    I have a damn good wife and she has been by my side through all of the terrible things that I have done, through my addiction of 10 years, lying and cheating but has been nothing but faithful and forgiven me over and over again. I had to hit rock bottom and have the threat of losing my wife and my family to wake up after 18 years and give her the best me. Idk how she has done it for so long and still love me as well as seeing the best in me. Thank God I am getting my own counseling and I have been shown my issues all the way back to my childhood as well as marriage counseling we are now back stronger than ever and we are in love again like we were. I'm a lucky man I hope that everyone is lucky enough to find theirs

  • @openparachine
    @openparachine Před 11 lety +102

    I'd say her advice is that you have to include the feeling of "novelty" in your relationship by avoiding the state of being an exclusive dyad, living mainly with and for each other. If you give yourself and your partner space "to explore" rather than showing a permanent need for the partner and don't loose the will to do things you're good/passioned at (maybe due to the comfortableness of a long-time-relationship) and keep a positive self-esteem, you're good to go....or something like that^^

    • @JLittleBass
      @JLittleBass Před 2 lety +6

      Basically .38 Special got it right. "Hold On Loosely, but don't let go; if you cling too tightly you're gonna lose control" 🤠

  • @emimiwimi
    @emimiwimi Před 7 lety +198

    this is the third time i see this video and everytime i discover more things. i need to write a lot of quotes from what she said. awesome

  • @tinefreyse8045
    @tinefreyse8045 Před 2 lety

    Die schönsten Vorträge sind die von Menschen, die große Freude an dem Thema haben, über das sie etwas erzählen wollen.

  • @serlinapadmadewi2630
    @serlinapadmadewi2630 Před 10 měsíci +1

    she’s very well spoken. I could listen to her talk all day

  • @babajaiy8246
    @babajaiy8246 Před 2 lety +5

    To me the way she describes love and desire is that both have the same elements withing them. Love is the desire for another, Desire is the love for another.

  • @gummisnoodable
    @gummisnoodable Před rokem +5

    Common reasons we are drawn to our partner across almost every culture she polled: 1. Being apart and reunited. 2. Seeing their partner radiating/being in their element/*confident...they desire you but do not need you as in caregiving=useful but turn off 3. Being surprised, *imagination, playfulness, novelty

    • @gummisnoodable
      @gummisnoodable Před rokem

      Ask yourself: "I turned off my desire when..." 12:20

  • @teejay9812
    @teejay9812 Před 3 lety +2

    Esther is amazing at shifting perspectives and so insightful.

  • @shrinidhipatil335
    @shrinidhipatil335 Před rokem +17

    1) Space
    2) When u see them onstage or at work
    3) novelty

  • @KemaTheAtheist
    @KemaTheAtheist Před 11 lety +15

    This was the first TED talk on this sort of topic that I think actually made any kind of sense to actually try and think about how I can incorporate it into my own life. Good talk.

  • @jburckhardt
    @jburckhardt Před 8 lety +121

    OMG!!! I love her accent!!! is so enchanting ..... plus she is really good at doing public speaking ( really good role model)

  • @TheNijagara
    @TheNijagara Před rokem +4

    Nobody talks about responsibility, caring for others, scarifying your time for someone else. Instead 'me-culture' is praised and promoted in various forms such as the one presented in this video which justifies desire and selfishness.

  • @man-observing-world
    @man-observing-world Před rokem

    Wow, one of the only great TED talks I’ve seen in the last few years, fast, fun, and totally on point. Well done!

  • @jacksond9309
    @jacksond9309 Před 4 lety +5

    I haven't heard anything on youtube that I resonated with quite as much as this - by the looks of it the whole audience was just as mesmerized. Esther is a straight maverick.

  • @physiotherapistpaulina9340

    Yes! I completely agree..............great insight. We want so much from our partners now. We feel trapped in the monotony of marriage and kids and family, and yet we want that commitment and security. It can get very boring, but divorce and dating look so much worse lol. Thanks for sharing this great research!

  • @mar1853
    @mar1853 Před 4 lety +33

    Love this!! Bottom line, relationships are hard work but the right person will love it and get it done with you😘

  • @thereisonlyoneright3752
    @thereisonlyoneright3752 Před 3 lety +19

    I absolutely adore Esther - what a genius of one of the biggest puzzles we try to solve our whole lives. X

  • @WindmillChef
    @WindmillChef Před 6 lety +37

    Great lecture, amazing intelligence. her theories and premises are so cleverly thought through and then placed in perspective. And she delivered so much thought in 20 minutes that you really need a lot of time afterwards to process it. You can also notice on her facial expressions and the speed of speaking that she has a lot more in thoughts but not the time to deliver.
    I have watched many lectures by Esther Perel, she is inspiringly intelligent.

  • @helenacorreia7613
    @helenacorreia7613 Před rokem +3

    This woman is amazing, I want to hear more.
    Also, she described what I think society should march towards: unconditional love. You can put boundaries and rules in your children without making it personal, without stringing them to your needs and guilt-trip them... Needless to mention adult relationships because it all starts in childhood.
    A lot of things she mentioned here, like putting into anthropological/biological perspective our unrealistic goals. But I think personally that it is really important to give some freedom to your partner. I am not into polyamory because I don't think I would be able to, but I would make an effort and try and give some freedom to my partner for them to not feel caged with me.

  • @ohmyredheadness
    @ohmyredheadness Před 5 lety +5

    This is by far the best Ted Talk I've listened to.

  • @rsm014
    @rsm014 Před 5 měsíci

    “and I stay open to the mysteries that are living right next to me.” Beautiful ty

  • @RomnyCDoncamatic
    @RomnyCDoncamatic Před 8 lety +55

    As a Person who was raised by a really over protective grandma I barely can feel pleasure in my life, Everything is so scary to me now, I grew up like the child who looks over his shoulder to see if his mother is angry, My last partner was someone who was exactly the opposite of me and my worries about him not coming back when he went to experience pleasure was taking over my life and I felt lost , I did nit have any idea why I felt that way till I saw this video, thank you so much Esther for make it much more clear for me

    • @purejoy6538
      @purejoy6538 Před 7 lety +2

      RomnyCDoncamatic Me too. I'm really sensitive. It doesn't pay to be sensitive in the bedroom.

  • @BellaSunshineOnline
    @BellaSunshineOnline Před 8 lety +27

    This TedTalk was so good I watched it twice. Thanks for speaking and posting. :-)

  • @paparudaruda656
    @paparudaruda656 Před 4 lety +23

    I would only dream to have 10% of her experience in life that led to knowledge. She is a master of mind and relationships of any kind.
    Respect!

  • @AGROfficial1407
    @AGROfficial1407 Před 3 lety +3

    Her analogies were so Spot on! I wish I could be so creative with such Thoughts! Beautiful talk and very clear headed!

  • @PaolaSotoTopTrainer
    @PaolaSotoTopTrainer Před 6 lety +10

    It doesnt matter the subject she talks about... each of her sentences resonate multiple meanings in my brain! What a great speaker!!!

  • @concha0711
    @concha0711 Před 7 lety +17

    I absolutely LOVED this Ted Talk... this describes my previous relationship in so many levels... I should send him the video so he can learn something out of it, because after having broken up 2 times I don't honestly believe he did learn the essence of what I was feeling... :(
    Merci beaucoup Esther!

    • @heartspacerelaxations6924
      @heartspacerelaxations6924 Před 2 lety +3

      Having split up twice… Have you learnt what he was feeling. Learning must always be on both sides. You could ask him what would have been needed to make him content.

  • @vladtepesh6844
    @vladtepesh6844 Před 2 lety +5

    Holy moly! Few times, in my life, I feel this level of "blow my mind" and she reached a new level.
    Really beautiful speech

  • @nadiasaffodien7486
    @nadiasaffodien7486 Před 5 lety +3

    I love how passionate you are about your subject matter....excellent talk

  • @katharinecampbell7799
    @katharinecampbell7799 Před 7 lety +24

    She is my all-time favorite TED speaker, so eloquent, so succinct, and funny to boot!

  • @ShaunWoodFilms
    @ShaunWoodFilms Před 10 lety +550

    Only a French person could get away with this talk so smoothly. That accent made it sound more convincing.

    • @Dragonsnack73
      @Dragonsnack73 Před 10 lety +171

      She's from Belgium and her accent is Flemish :)

    • @JaadeeC
      @JaadeeC Před 10 lety +26

      Dragonsnack73 she's a French-speaking Belgian.

    • @bj0rn_509
      @bj0rn_509 Před 10 lety +22

      She's also a very talented speaker.

    • @bkerrkerr3124
      @bkerrkerr3124 Před 9 lety +26

      Yes, but more than that, she is highly articulate and poetic. She discovers as she speaks. Knowing 5 or 6 languages helps: German, Spanish, French, Israeli, blah, blah.

    • @bkerrkerr3124
      @bkerrkerr3124 Před 9 lety +1

      By the way, she is Belgian.

  • @sariettetichaa6794
    @sariettetichaa6794 Před rokem +1

    I wish I could like this 1million times! Spot on precise and concise delivery of a difficult subject presented with so much professionalism in stimulates the thought process of the hearer! Your husband must be a lucky man!

  • @decencywarrior9598
    @decencywarrior9598 Před 6 měsíci +1

    I've been with my lover for 37 years married for 35 - that very last statement this genius makes -so true . I'm glad we had figured out things , even before the internet was born , but this woman's insights , and her delivery are masterful.