What is Sensual Consciousness?

Sensual consciousness is attention to the senses and stimuli obtained from the senses. The terms sensual consciousness and sensuality do not distinguish between negative stimuli (pain) or positive stimuli (pleasure). Sensual consciousness and sensuality certainly have nothing to do with self-gratification, immorality, or overindulgence. Our senses provide the information on which we base all of our intuitive thinking, creativity, and desires, as well as our clear problem-solving abilities. They help us determine what is right and wrong for us far better than any holy book, psychologist, or pop culture. By being fully present to our sensual perceptions, we become more sensitive to our passions, our inner compass, our personal truth, or what we call our core values. Core values ​​are true and authentic and are not influenced by the values ​​and judgments of others.

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Imagine a scenario where you are in a dissatisfying job and have been for several years. On paper, however, that job is prestigious, and friends and family envy your position. He knows something has to change, but he doesn’t know if he should go back to school, start his own business, or change careers entirely. Years go by, but you get stuck in the situation and still have no idea what to do. Or imagine you’re running erratically, between your job, your commute, taking kids back and forth, PTA meetings, wolfing down fast food in the car 3 or more times a week, and not being able to get started. never that new hobby or getting anything. I needed to exercise, and then lie awake wasting precious sleep time at night worrying about the hectic day ahead. You know something has to change because this is unhealthy, you’re exhausted and it’s starting to show, but you keep making no changes because you’re torn between where to cut your activities to relieve yourself and being a superhero. Your mind is racing a mile a minute and you just can’t make up your mind about how to improve your life. These are two simplified examples of what life can be like when we are disconnected from our core values.

How sensual awareness reconnects us with our core values

In our hectic culture, many of us are not immediately able to sit and meditate with a clear head for long periods of time. In this case, sensuality just serves as a different form of meditation that can be a more accessible means of reconnecting with what is authentic within us, allowing us to look at our condition from a neutral and relaxed perspective. We are often too busy in our daily lives to fully recognize our core values ​​or are too used to letting outside influences, i.e. religion, business, social values, the opinions of family and friends, etc. guide our desires to easily make decisions that align correctly or actions with them.

Although sensuality doesn’t really refer to stimuli that are positive or negative, the more attractive and pleasurable the experience, the more easily we can stay in that place of presence and allow our core values ​​and passions to surface clearly. The key to sensual meditation is to actively observe through our senses just enough to keep us present but not so much that it overwhelms or distracts us, and that’s relaxing enough to quiet the mental chatter. We must become aware of our sensations but without thinking about them. We are giving all sensations, both pleasant and unpleasant or stressful, a place to simply BE. Without fighting, ignoring, or manipulating, we can simply watch and release them, where they will stop clouding our thoughts and judgments. Essentially, here we are paying attention to our mind-body connection. Sensuality is the bridge between the body and the mind, because all thoughts originate from the senses. Get them to work together in harmony and see what miracles can happen!

First steps with sensual meditation

Although sensual awareness as meditation may be a more accessible form of meditation than other forms, it still requires practice. Here’s a very simplified practice to get you started:

  • Find a quiet place and sit comfortably. If necessary, make the environment cozier with candles, incense, dim lighting, or fresh flowers.
  • It is not necessary to close the eyes, but it helps to relax the eyelids halfway. Begin with a slow, deep breath, expanding the ribcage and filling the entire abdomen with nourishing oxygen, releasing used air and clutter with each exhalation.
  • Try not to think about anything, and as thoughts arise, just let them go and relax. Don’t try too hard. Just let yourself go.
  • Pay attention to what you hear.
  • Notice what you see.
  • Notice how you feel.
  • Notice what you smell.
  • Notice what you taste.
  • Be aware of your sensations and notice a sense of calm connection.
  • Continue to experiment with your sensual meditations in various places and activities for a month.

There is so much more to sensual awareness, so you would be fooled if you stopped here. It takes regular practice to experience the full intensity of the benefits, such as an increased ability to think clearly and creatively in all aspects of your life; discovering solutions to problems you may have been struggling with; generating more laughter and fun in your life; experiencing increased self-confidence; and become more relaxed with yourself and less stressed. Learn about the concepts of balancing the masculine and feminine energies within; understanding the chakras and using and playing with universal energy are also necessary to benefit from a rich sensual engagement with the world.