Is Difficulty Growing You?

[Anton Rogachevski]

When my peactice leans towards asceticism I tend to think that the less pleasure I get the more I'm progressing. Would that completely wrong to assume?

[Prabhaker]

2 hours ago, Anton Rogachevski said:

asceticism

Don’t try to escape in any way from anything – work or family. One is to escape from nowhere – because the escapist mind can become peaceful, but it cannot become blissful; that’s the trouble. An escapist mind can become peaceful, because if you don’t work, if you avoid every situation where trouble can arise, where there is challenge, conflict, competition, then of course, naturally you become peaceful. But that peace is bogus and not worth having. The slightest disturbance, and it will be disturbed. 

I would like a peace that is attained amidst flames, a peace which is attained in the marketplace; a peace that is attained where there is no possibility of attaining it. Then you attain to an integration; a crystallization comes to you. Of course the way is long and hard, but the short-cut is just an escape.

[Anton Rogachevski]

@Prabhaker Thank you for your comment.

The things you say are truly insightful and go deep into the distinction.

My question focused more on the aspect of avoiding pleasure. Is it beneficial or not to consume the least delicious food for example.

[Prabhaker]

1 hour ago, Anton Rogachevski said:

Is it beneficial or not to consume the least delicious food for example.

Avoiding pleasure is not a virtue, remain alert , conscious in pleasures will help you to grow. Eating your delicious food in right quantity, consciously is better that stuffing too much with least delicious food unconsciously. 

[aurum]

Denying anything, including pleasure, is just more ego. 

Ask yourself: what beliefs do you hold that tell you pleasure is bad? Do you think it makes you more "spiritual"? 

[PureExp]

I agree with @aurum .

If you must avoid pleasures and pains by hook or crook, its not much of a progress. Is it?

Conversely, when you don't cling to pleasures and pains, you just accept the present moment naturally and genuinely, its a sign of true detachment, and IMO of progress.

Now, the $million question is - how can one reach that state of detachment? I don't have a good answer, but I guess it happens as a result of being intensely aware of your mental landscape round the clock, everyday. Ask yourself - where from the pleasure or desire for it arise? What is its nature? Why do I tend to avoid pain? So on and so forth. Be aware, very aware. I guess you know the rest.