Moral Pleasures

[Verv]

Too much discussion revolves around what are immoral pleasures and other related sins... Rather, as a Christian or as whatever religion (or philosophy) you represent, what are the moral pleasures -- things that you can indulge in, enjoy etc. that are in no way immoral?

As a Christian, I think that there are only a few things directly pointed out in the Bible that man was drected to enjoy, first and most often pointed out being enjoying God and His Love/His Creation, which I feel is in many ways a reference to the enjoyment of nature (His Creation).

The second most common thing I believe is one's spouse, one is directed several times to love and enjoy their spouses.

Other than this, the Bible seems to be vague about what to enjoy (but going into great detail about what should be avoided).

I noted that enjoyment of the Created seems to be a large priority, and this also ties in with an ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoist naturalism -- naturalism being the drawing of pleasure from very simple, natural things (as the name implies). It was advocated specifically by Yang Chu, though he was portrayed as a hedonist he is by no means a conventional one: the main idea is to enjoy simple things like the light of day, the stars of night, the feeling of dewy grass under your feet, a cool breeze on a hot night, etc.

I think that enjoying simpler pleasures is a key to true happiness -- to be able to wake up and go to work yet feel relief in the beauty of the fog or the warmth of the sun is so simple and proper, something a child would do (and Christians are told to believe with a children's innocence and simplicity).

I feel that Christianity traditionally has overemphasized what is viewed as sinful, and we should start going on a new path of emphasizing greater concepts of pleasure.

 

[JustJack!]

The simple pleasures of life...like sex, drugs and rock and roll?

Oh wait, those are all evil, sorry.

 

[Garnet2727]

Hmmmmmm...

A bubble bath

A cup of hot mint tea on a cold day

An evening with hubby.

A beautiful fall day...like today.

A clean house after all the chores are done.

Watching snow outside with a crackling fire inside.

My husband softly touching the back of my neck.

Dale Earnhardt Jr winning a race.

Hmmmmmm...I could go on but I think I'll stop now.

 

[kopilo]

mmm good post!

Listening to music, Viewing/creating art, going to see a movie, hanging out with friends, going to the gym, giving/recieving a massage from my girlfriend, reading poetry, programming, dancing, going to the beach, simple pleasures, etc.

 

[nvxplorer]

Interesting that you mention Taoism.

The philosophy recognizes the opposing forces of the universe, with the goal being balance (calm) between these forces. This balance is graphically represented in the yin-yang symbol.

If we relate this philosophy to our lives, we see that "pleasure" does not represent balance but is an opposing force (opposed to pain, sadness, depression, etc.). Therefore, the goal is not to seek pleasure. The goal is to seek calm. It is within this state of calm that what we term "simple pleasures" can be appreciated.

 

[metherion]

I always liked a good game of chess, or a nice honest intelligent debate, eating a meal with a good friend, reading a fun book (I just read Utopia by Thomas More, and I liked it!). I like learning about things (else I wouldn't still be a student who is hoping to go to grad school). I like a nice long warm shower, or a nice day at the waterpark. (YAY SCHLITERBAHN!) I also like just walking on occasion. It's often fun to help people with stuff, too, whether it be helping an old lady carry her groceries to talking one of my friends through girl/boyfriend problems.

Metherion

 

[Verv]

Interesting that you mention Taoism.

The philosophy recognizes the opposing forces of the universe, with the goal being balance (calm) between these forces. This balance is graphically represented in the yin-yang symbol.

If we relate this philosophy to our lives, we see that "pleasure" does not represent balance but is an opposing force (opposed to pain, sadness, depression, etc.). Therefore, the goal is not to seek pleasure. The goal is to seek calm. It is within this state of calm that what we term "simple pleasures" can be appreciated.

I am not sure so much if that is the goal of Taoism -- it is very obvious that the goal of the Buddhist is the erasure of pleasure and pain, of suffering and of ecstacy in some ways... Taoism has hinted at it -- the sage is unmoved by everything, the sage is seemingly content whatever his status in life may be...

But I think that honestly, the sage is meant to be happy. In my interpretation after reading Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu (and now starting on Yang Chu and Lieh-tzu), Taoism comes back to the notion that one should be separated from society and should not put pressure on oneself, one should be non-competitive, nourish all things, be positive towards everything, etc. and ideally view all things in a positive light.

In a lot of the Chuang-tzu Book there are instances of men saying how content they are with being handicapped or how enjoyable it is for them to butcher a cow or cut down a tree, so I think that there is a certain emphasis on happiness and contentment...

But you are right: the ideal goal is to erase displeasure from one's life.

The simple pleasures of life...like sex, drugs and rock and roll?

Oh wait, those are all evil, sorry.

Haha, I love rock and roll... Too much. I spend each weekend going to punk concerts in the Seoul area.

 

[Caylin]

Spending time with my girlfriend, playing video games, reading books, surfing the internet are some of the things that bring me pleasure.