The Society of Sensation

[Irenicas]

Ok, most of you will not have heard of the Society of Sensation. That would be because I founded it

Ok, basically, I started to think about what I believed in Buddhism. In Buddhism, the major way to reach enlightenment is to distance yourself from the world and so on. To begin with this felt like it was a reasonable idea, but more and more I felt that this was missing an important method of gaiing enlightenment. If it was possible to reach enlightenment through not experiencing all that life has to offer, then surely it would be just as easy by experiencing all you can. This is where the Society of sensation comes in.
I took the name from Planescape:Torment, but it seems to work well for this. Basically, the idea of the Sensates is that you can reach nirvana by experiencing and understanding all the pleasures of life. Therefore, take all the opportunities you can for pleasure and live the lifestyle of the true hedonist.
That's about it really. I'd give you the website I made, but bluntly, it's awful.
Oh, the symbol I use is the one I use as my Avatar.

Oh yeah, and, I don't like having so few available letters in the imput for religion on the profile. I tried to put Buddhist/Sensate... but I ran out of room. Any chance? Cheers.

 

[Sunstone]

A hedonistic Buddhism? Sounds intriguing, but I thought the Buddha preached the Middle Way between the extremes of hedonism and asceticism?

Well, Sidhartha had a sensate younger life, you know… Lived in his father’s pleasure palaces.

So, I suppose no sense in your missing out on all of that as long as you take the proper precautions of wearing a condom and avoiding self-destructive drugs. Good luck! Write home when you reach enlightenment.

 

[Irenicas]

Will do ?

I was just wondering what people thought really, but questions about how to join are much appreciated (thank you!).

 

[Master Vigil]

That does go againts buddhas teachings a little. I remember reading that he said, he visited extremists, and they lived to be about 80, then died. Then he visited yogis and they lived to be around 300, then died. In the end he said, we all die. His idea was if you live life with the knowledge that suffering is inevitable, than the life you do live is a good life. Almost like being an pessimistic optimist. You hope for the worst, so whatever happens... your always happy. The idea of going out and filling up on pleasures is commonly thought of as the best way to inhibit enlightenment. The middle path I think is best.

This would also go against a taoist view of enlightenment. For a taoist lets things happen on their own accord without trying to take all opportunities. The idea is, if you take them all you will never know which ones are right for you and get confused. And a confused mind, is not an enlightened mind. But if you let your goals come to you, than you know they are the right ones. These are my thoughts. But your idea is interesting and certainly made me think, I would love to discuss it further.

 

[Sunstone]

Irenicas,

If you feel a spiritual need to explore hedonism, then that is what you must do. The Buddha explored hedonism and found it lacking. But you cannot simply take his word for it if the spiritual need in you to explore hedonism is genuine (as I presume it is). There is no substitute for experience. That's as near as I come to understanding your situation.

As for myself, I don't think I'm ready yet to become a hedonist. I'm currently more attracted to work that I'm passionate about than hedonism.

But I'm curious about this, Irenicas: Can you be a detached hedonist? Detached, of course, in the Buddhist sense of "detachment"? Is that possible? Is is recommended? What do you think?

 

[Irenicas]

I think you can. Buddha told us that the perfect man could distance himself from all aspects of life, and still learn from that life. I think it's possible to do this.

In regards to other queries, I am thinking that you may be correct, that this is something I need to "get out of my system". I don't think this makes it a bad thing, however.

 

[Master Vigil]

Your view may just need some focus. Like hacking away the granite to produce a beautiful sculpture. Perhaps you understand what buddha means and are simply looking at it too literally. You will find out what your mind and soul wants. Until then, research and meditate. Perhaps find a buddhist teacher which you can ask these questions.

 

[Sunstone]

Irenicas,

Denying the need you have to “get it out of your system” would sound to me among the least preferable courses of action you could take in this case. To deny a genuine need can lead to despair, resentment, self-delusion, and bitterness (to say nothing of its leading to mumbling to oneself, unkept hair, sour breath, and a predisposition to vote conservative). The wisest course of action would seem to be to pursue your pleasures as wisely as possible. Remember that to pursue them unwisely can also lead to despair, resentment, self-delusion, and bitterness. Therefore, pursue them wisely.

You write, “…this is something I need to ‘get out of my system’. I don’t think this makes it a bad thing, however.” I agree with you. I think you are shrewd to recognize that.

I like Master Vigil’s suggestion of finding a teacher. In the end, we are all pupils of life, and even the most advanced teacher can benefit from himself having a teacher, if he can find one that suites his needs. To qualify that, let me quote the Buddha, “If you find no equal or better on life’s road, go alone! Loneliness is better than the friendship of fools.”

I recall now another quote from the Pali Cannon: “The wise man lives in his village like a bee gathering honey: harming neither the flower nor the scent.” In your pursuit of pleasure, Irenicas, might I suggest you consider the bee gathering honey? What do you think of the metaphor? Is it apt? Good luck on your journey!

 

[Irenicas]

Thank you, and I believe that metaphor may be apt... I would never harm another or myself in the pursuit of hedonism.

Ultimately, this proves again that I am above all a Buddhist.

 

[trishtrish10]

personally i don't very often seek pleasure, but a good easy chair feels good and a cup of coffee and a cigarette. i look at t.v. but seldom watch it. i would rather pray for someones well being or think a problem thru. i am sociable but deny myself that pleasure often. i am not wealthy so i can't tour the world or get much satisfaction in expensive purchases. i literally dont have a square foot of ground to stand on and call my own. it would take too much money for a survey, deed and title search. so i stay with my best friends and work for my room and board by weed eating cemetaries, chopping wood and shoveling snow. i am on disability so i have a little cash to help myself and others. the world is hurting and i worry about poor people and things like the genocide in Sudan which is going on right now. i pray for world peace, unity of all God's people, and for the endangered unborn. i pray every night for my family, what''s left of them and for my friends. i lead a simple life and try to go to church every day. i think buddha is a saint. by not seeking pleasure i am gratified when it comes to me. i really believe that by seeking pleasure one is not ever satisfied and becomes lonely. wealthy people worry about losing their wealth. some wealthy people spoil there kids and give them little love which is what they need the most, attention to their spiritual needs and spending time with them. i could ramble on but i want to look up some other topics. thanx for informing me about you all and have a great year.

 

[Samloyal23]

Irenicas, I don't think you really understand the Society of Sensation, we are not about hedonism. One of the first lessons a Sensate must learn is that pleasure is no sin, that what you enjoy through your senses is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed by. But pleasure is only part of the equation. You can only get so far experiencing the pleasures of life. Being a Sensate is about experientialism, the belief that true knowledge can only be gained through direct, sensory experience. The purpose of experience is to learn, not to indulge, so one must not be afraid to experience things that are unpleasant. In fact, one should seek out experiences of all types, because the road to enlightenment is the path of knowledge, experience is just the surest way to verify the authenticity of knowledge. Direct, sensual experience of every aspect of life, good and bad, opens the mind and tears down the walls of the comfort zone we hide in. Stick your hand in the fire, get your heart broken, feel pain and anger and fear as well as joy and love and happiness. Then you will be a Sensate...

 

[Valjean]

What is your concept of "enlightenment," Irenicas?

 

[Master Vigil]

I'm pretty sure Irenicas has abandoned this idea and discovered his buddhist faith deeper. I'm not sure, but I think that is what happened. He hasn't been on in a while, so I just thought I would post this to get you guys up to speed.