The Asymptotes of Pleasure
Picture a circle with its Center as a single point and the Edge as the line defining it.
Now, imagine this circle as a perfect representation of Pleasure.
The Edge is the Ecstasy of the senses, an unreachable limit. One can try to get close to it through the intersection of the outside world and the outerness of their bodies. Food, music, sex, drugs, and more, everything goes to reach that limit.
Quoting Mad Men, the Edge would be like "drinking a hundred bottles of whiskey while someone licks your tits."
The Center is the impossible search for the One Truth, the one alluded to by spirituals, religionists, artists, scientists, as well as athletes, thinkers, and all others who thrive to excel in their discipline. This pursuit is the Pleasure in itself through the act of being in The Flow. Yes, that Flow, the physical manifestation of that One Truth, the one the Universe hid for our seeking.
The ending of Mad Men comes to mind here, where Don's best idea ever came to him during meditation.
Reaching the Edge surely means death, as the body was not made to sustain such immensity.
Reaching the Center means death in a sense too, as the illusion of the ego would end.
Both the Edge and the Center are limits, endless pursuits, attracting and pulling all thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Some are closer to the Center, others to the Edge. Both limits have their function though : no side is better than the other in the grand drama of the Universe. All is there for the experience of the Game, only for the Consciousness of the Individual may that difference between Edge and Center matter.
One of the main differences in Pleasure could be how it is paid.
More precisely in which currency, either Money, Health, or Time.
Money can instantly buy some of the best Edge Pleasure experiences with little to no impact on Health or Time. Everything can be bought, from a band playing an exclusive one-of-a-kind concert to a chef and a table at the best restaurant on Earth.
Health can offer great Edge Pleasure too if one is willing to pay with it. Drugs come to mind, some of the quickest one-way trip to the Edge. But everything ranging from fast-food to reality TV is on the same spectrum, just with much less intensity.
Time however, is the currency required in most cases for Center Pleasure. Money can buy the illusion of going there, and Health too to some extent. But those are just that, illusions.
No Pleasure will ever beat the compound interest of growing mastery in a way cherished by one's soul.
No Pleasure will ever be able to compare with the joy of losing oneself in a chosen field of expression and comprehension of the Universe.
No Pleasure will ever be worth the feeling of justing "being born for it".
One can only aspire to at least act in the direction of the Pleasure they consciously resonate with.
Sadly for most, there are bills to be paid and frustrations to be had.
The Edge is never too far, with its promise of a well-deserved quick fix.
And then, the Asymptotes of Pleasure pull us once more.
Again.
And again.
Until next time.
Peace.