The Pleasure Cure

I was talking to a friend about giving up pleasures that dominate our lives and she wondered whether the feeling of pleasure was determined by the mind or the body. Or to rephrase the question, she wanted to know who had the stronger voice in determining what is pleasurable: the mind or the body. I found this to be an important reflection because it challenged my notion of what was pleasurable. Was I determining pleasure with my head or my body or both? And, if I determine pleasure by merely listening to my head, then is it really a pleasure? If my body’s opinion wasn’t being taken into consideration, was it still a true pleasure?

My conversation with my smart friend left me wondering whether I really knew what pleasured me. I believe that sitting in front of the computer for 6 hours straight is pleasurable. No, really, I do. I also believe that dancing all night is pleasurable, even if I am exhausted the next day.

Sitting in front of the computer for this amount of time must only be pleasurable to my mind. My body cannot find pleasure in sitting for so long. My question to myself today is: What does my body find pleasurable and is it contrary to what my mind finds pleasurable?

Furthermore, should the experience of pleasure be determined by taking all dimensions (physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual) into consideration?

Lastly, how do we give the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual equal power in the decision making process and should we? I am intrigued.

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