Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious.
- Rumi, 13th century Persian Poet
I had initially written this blog post some time ago but, even though I write on a grand plethora of subjects, I was hesitant, no downright freaking out, when it came to publishing a piece with the word orgasm in the title.
Even if the world is indeed filled with sensual pleasures, surely I should only be writing about more noble pursuits? Oh, and my parents read this.
But then I reasoned that yin is balanced by yang, Shiva by Shakti, sugar with spice, and Burt by Ernie. Let’s be adults and call a spade a spade.
Is indulging in sensual pleasures really a sin? Should we be aspiring to give them up to reach our loftier, spiritual goals?
In my humble opinion at least, the answer is no.
But rather than embarking on it as an exercise in controlling the senses, I like to think of it as mastery over them. Think of it as a take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Or perhaps, more accurately, an enjoy-it-or-leave-it attitude.
You get to enjoy your pleasure of choice but, crucially, not be attached to it.
That means revelling in the sheer delight of an almond croissant (or orgasm), but if you didn’t have one for a few days, months or even years, it wouldn’t really bother you. You’re not attached. And a little of what you fancy probably does you good anyway.
The only thing is, we are but fallible human beings: the more we get of something, the more we want. And sometimes, just sometimes, there’s just not enough of the thing we so enjoy. There’s a reason we live in a culture fuelled by addiction. No-one wants to give up the security blanket that is their sensual pleasure.
I feel the need to reiterate something though: it’s not about giving something up; rather it’s the willingness to be able to give it up, if required. It’s a fine line.
And when we are ready to take that step, suddenly we realise that there’s a lot more to life. It’s in the letting go that we find the space to truly be open to the treasures the Universe still has in store for us (new sensual pleasures anyone?).
As these spiritual beings enjoying this incredible human experience, I feel it’s our job, no obligation, to live life to the fullest. It’s not just about the cake and eating it, but doing so with some fabulous sprinkles and decadent icing.
But maybe I don’t even want cake. Maybe I’m happy with a really good piece of bread, or a fresh, hot-off-the-stove chapatti. Rather than it being the sensual pleasures that bring us joy, maybe all we need is a few simple ones.
Because, as we well know, it’s not the things outside ourselves that make us happy. True contentment comes when you’re in that glow of appreciation, that beats orgasms and almonds croissants hands down.
Or at least 99% of the time.
We are human after all.
