The idea of slow pleasure offers a very refreshing change in today’s fast paced world, where everything seems to be about instant gratification. Slow pleasure basically invites us to savour the current moment, tune into your body, and fully experience pleasure in all its different forms. But, in a culture like ours, where discussions about pleasure, or often, hurried, or limited, what does it really mean to embrace slow pleasure?
What really is slow pleasure?
Slow pleasure means making the decision to slow down and truly feel your experience with all your senses – sight, touch, smell, sound and taste. It’s about taking your own time to notice the little things that come up in your day-to-day life, like tasting a sweet juicy fruit, listening to your favourite music or feeling the touch of a loved one. In today’s world, working, eating, and even falling in love happen so quickly, which is why it’s slow pleasure, can be a subtle reminder to wind down and hit slow motion.
Why should we slow down?
Think about when you are eating a delicious, high calorie meal- often hurried, without taking the time to enjoy each bite. A culture teaches us that pleasure is something to it, to indulge in, something to be experienced quickly and then set aside. Consider how hurriedly you spend your intimate times, putting more emphasis on the destination than the process.
Picture yourself savoring a warm cup of masala chai or coffee for more reasons than just its flavor. Think of the warmth it gives your hands, the perfume of spices filling your nose, and the way it lifts your spirits. Slowing intimacy down also allows to immerse ourselves fully in those experiences. When you take your time, you can give yourself the space to feel more, to connect more deeply with yourself for somebody else, and to get more satisfaction from each moment.
What is the connection between pleasure and embodiment?
To properly experience pleasure, you have to be in touch with your body. This does not even only mean going through the motions, but actually feeling them. In a culture like ours, where pleasure is downplayed, or even discouraged, this might even mean overcoming and unlearning that. Think about it, when sex and sensuality is considered such a taboo, embracing your own pleasures slowly, can feel like such a radical act of self love.
What are practical ways I can practice Slow pleasure?
Let me give you some simple ways to bring slow pleasure into your daily life:
- Mindful eating: try to savour each bite of your meals instead of rushing through them. This can be as simple as enjoying a hot plate of soup during winter or a bowl of mangoes during the summer, letting the flavour linger on your tongue. Notice the texture, flavours, and the aroma.
- Deep breathing: take a few minutes every day to sit quietly and focus on your breath. Feel the air enter your belly and leave your body, come in your mind and centering your thoughts. This practice will help you stay present and appreciate the moment.
- Slow touch: during moments of intimacy with yourself for your partner, focus on the sensation of the smallest touches. Be it a lingering touch on your face, or tracing lines on your partner’s hands, take time to explore each other’s bodies without rushing to the next step. This will help you build a deeper connection and turn your entire body into an erogenous zone.
- Savour simple moments: whether it’s listening to your favourite music, enjoying a sunset, simply sitting in a garden or holding your partner’s hand, take a moment to truly experience it. These small acts can be very powerful tools for connecting with your senses.
Embrace your journey
Is slow pleasure about doing less? No! It’s about feeling more. Slow pleasure is about making an effort to stay present and feel each experience. When life is so rushed and pressured, taking the time to slow down each experience can be a way to reconnect with ourselves in those around us.
So, the next time you find yourself rushing through an intimate moment, stop. Take a big breath in, calm down, and allow yourself to really enjoy the pleasure that this moment may provide. After all, pleasure is not a luxury; it is something to be welcomed and treasured, as a natural part of the human experience.
