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Can I enjoy sensual experience without attachment?

ThusThus
edited January 2011 in Buddhism Basics
Just as the title asks: is it possible strive to attain momentary enjoyment from sensual experiences while keeping in mind the full understanding that they cannot provide satisfaction?

Comments

  • aHappyNihilistaHappyNihilist Veteran
    edited January 2011
    Yes. Just try it. You can still like certain things, prefer to have them and remain free from craving. As long as you don't become attached to those things they won't cause suffering. If you could maintain perfect equanimity then it wouldn't really matter what pleasures you indulged in, but this is probably impossible, which is why it's good to take the middle path.

    The idea that you can never feel any form of pleasure is a misconception. You can feel pleasure and not attach to it and you're fine. I just made a thread about this, titled "what seems to be the most common Buddhist misconception"
  • Ada_BAda_B
    If you're a relative newbie in your practice, the answer's probably no. Which just means you need more practice ;)
  • ThusThus
    Yes. Just try it. You can still like certain things, prefer to have them and remain free from craving. As long as you don't become attached to those things they won't cause suffering. If you could maintain perfect equanimity then it wouldn't really matter what pleasures you indulged in, but this is probably impossible, which is why it's good to take the middle path.

    The idea that you can never feel any form of pleasure is a misconception. You can feel pleasure and not attach to it and you're fine. I just made a thread about this, titled "what seems to be the most common Buddhist misconception"
    I saw your thread a second after I posted this one. Shame there's no delete button :)
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    Yes but only if you are a buddha. That doesn't mean you can't use sensual experiences (breath is one) to practice mindfulness.
  • blulotus29blulotus29
    Isn't it rather illogical to not want to enjoy or want something?
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited January 2011
    Isn't it rather illogical to not want to enjoy or want something?
    Sure. Want things. But don't allow your sense of self and happiness be dependent on getting them. Because you never know. You don't control reality. You have to accept what is, even if it's not what you thought you wanted.
  • aHappyNihilistaHappyNihilist Veteran
    want all things just want some things a little more like pancakes
  • VincenziVincenzi Veteran
    Yes but only if you are a buddha. That doesn't mean you can't use sensual experiences (breath is one) to practice mindfulness.
    ...'will say if you're an anågami; specifically free from kamma råga (craving from sensual pleasures.. still sounds better in samskrita). a couple of anågami's or buddha's... free from kamma råga... almost free from trishna (or completely free in the case of buddha's).
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