Introduction
Our culture is being systematically desenualized. They constantly make us feel guilty for experiencing pleasure. The very definition of the word sensual has been twisted to invoke images of excess, greed, depravity, immorality, or sexual deviance. Delicious food comes with comments and labels like “sinful”, “to die for”, “a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips”. Such language evokes feelings of guilt for the simple enjoyment of food. Our girls are becoming convinced that feeling beautiful or loving their bodies is equivalent to being vain, narcissistic or conceited. We’re being pushed and pushed and pushed to work harder and harder at our jobs, so much so that being sleep-deprived, stressed and time-hungry is the norm, and for the few of us who aren’t motivated. of exhaustion and heart disease are depicted as lazy, indolent, or otherwise unworthy.
What does it mean?
My favorite dictionary, Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, defines sensuality as: Relating to, inclined to, or concerned with the gratification of the senses or appetites…carnal, carnal…Lacking in moral restraint… lewd lewd gold…Arouse or excite the senses or appetites…Then he goes on to explainsensual refers, often unfavorably, to enjoyments derived from the senses, esp. of the gratification or indulgence of the physical appetites…
We must not accept this adulterated representation of sensuality. Sensuality is actually attention or focus on the senses and stimuli obtained from the senses. It does not specifically distinguish between negative and positive stimuli. It certainly has nothing to do with self-gratification, immorality, or wickedness. Quite simply, our senses provide the information on which we base our intuitive thoughts, feelings, and desires, or in other words, our common sense. We need our common sense to guide us in cases where strictly analytical or scientific calculations simply do not work.
What has happened to our common sense, or sound, clear judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge or training that comes from within and is based on conventional wisdom, tradition, or personal philosophies or perspectives? It is under attack, with messages designed to make us abandon our inner wisdom, passions and desires and allow others to decide for us what we need and want. What is all this? Whether intentionally or unintentionally, directly or indirectly, it is about the desenualization of our (American) culture.
The role of religion
The word sensual has evolved from a colloquialism rooted in Western Puritan traditions. Because organized religion requires some degree of conformity, albeit often with good intentions, religious authorities maintained certain norms of behavior among adherents through the use of fear, condemnation, and guilt. Common sense had to be subdued to achieve a high level of control over followers’ beliefs and experiences. This rigid system of clinging to beliefs often leads to irrational and inflexible decision making. They introduced the idea that even the most innocent pleasures are somehow profane, ungodly, and a source of misery. The denial of simple pleasure made it possible to dangle a carrot in front of the followers’ noses in the form of a promise of some post-death salvation. This is why organized religion is generally more attractive to the oppressed and depressed. Keeping followers fighting for the impossible, keeping comfort and contentment at bay, and perpetuating the concept of duality was the surest way to keep order among the masses. As a result, many were afraid to feel and explore their individual truths, and sensual deprivation was seen as the only path to salvation.
The consumer trap
While the advertising business may have been benign in its early days, over time it has become a hyper-aggressive subversive fight for our dollars, by any means necessary. In their relentless search, advertisers hit the jackpot. They found that making people feel constantly inadequate, unattractive, and disconnected, no matter what new gadgets, foods, and cosmetics we consume, is the way to keep the money flowing. They created the crazy race to keep up with the Joneses, the eternal rat race, and general low self-esteem. Temporarily, after each purchase, there may be short-lived satisfaction, but it fades quickly. Everything needs to be faster, tastier, stronger and more extreme because with each “hit” our senses become more and more muted and dull. In reality, material goods can never fulfill the hopes and fantasies fueled by myths of status, competition, and unlimited consumption as the norm. We become driven not by our own authentic desires, but by the illusory need to compare ourselves and compete against other people. The consumer trap takes us further and further away from our true fulfillment and happiness and sucks us into a cycle of perpetual dissatisfaction.
Gluttony and Hedonism
Obsessing over sensual stimulation is also not healthy. Some of us unknowingly become desensitized, which ultimately leads to problems like addiction and depression. This is because excess leniency is highly subject to the law of diminishing returns. The more and more we consume, the less and less satisfaction we get. For example, if you love pepperoni pizza, the first bite is incredibly nice. But when you’ve nearly devoured the entire cake, you no longer savor or appreciate the experience. You may have ruined the experience in such a way that you never want another slice of pepperoni pizza in your life.
The sensuality solution
All of this does not mean that we should give up organized religion or purge all material possessions. To experience a more authentic happiness, that is, a genuine happiness that is not tied to any external element or event, as well as to reconnect your senses with your common sense, the solution is terribly simple. The solution is not to become gluttonous or hedonistic, feverishly seeking pleasure for pleasure’s sake.
Take the time to acknowledge and explore your individual sensuality and the creativity and clarity it brings. Right now what do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear? What do you taste? How you feel? Just observe, don’t judge. Take some time each day to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Be alone with your thoughts from time to time. Don’t be afraid, they won’t bite you. Enjoy sensual pleasure but enjoy with full awareness. Develop the ability to experience any sensation with your full attention and with appreciation and moderation. These first steps are nothing more than the minimum that can be done to regain sensuality and common sense. To explore more, see LifeBliss Solutions.