A spectrum makes a lot of sense. I do have a tendency to think in absolutes, since they are easier for my brain to process, so sometimes I forget not everything is "all or nothing."

>>Also consider that some erotic arts, such as Tantra, may focus on the erotic but specifically rule out orgasm for religious, magical, or other reasons.<<

I'm not very familiar with Tantra or other things, so this was a nice piece of information to learn.

>>Kink is similar, often stimulating but not necessarily genital.<<

That, I'm very familiar with. I also like the way you phrased it, and I'm going to keep that in my back pocket in case it comes in handy.

>>And in Terramagne, powergasm can be erotic or sensual rather than sexual. It does short out the nervous system briefly -- sometimes even more thoroughly than orgasm -- and is intensely pleasurable, but is not identical to orgasm and people may like one but not the other.<<

That is another good comparison to have, and it helps to not feel so alone or wonder if I'm crazy. The general public so often lumps "erotic" and "sexual" together, I wasn't entirely certain they could be separate, even though I'm starting to realize they might be for me, at least a lot of the time.