The Problem of the Senses

If you read enough Orthodox monastic writings (often lumped into the general category of 'Patristics', which includes theology, philosophy, law...), you tend to get the idea that the serious Christian is fighting two battles in his inner 'battlefield'.

Indeed, the battle is an interior one.  We aren't really fighting with the devil or other people, though it often feels that way.  Relationships represent 60%-75% of the typical confession.  Not that I'm taking notes...

But, honestly, our fight over sinful or 'bad' actions begins with what goes in within our consciousness.  It is deep within ourselves that the struggle takes place between the 'higher' aspirations of the heart and its cruder appetites.

This battle over which side will dictate the actions of the person goes on in each of us.

On the one hand, the battle is one of thoughts.  We have memories, ideas, visions of what we can accomplish.  On the other hand, we have yearning desires for sensory experiences and sated appetites.

While we discuss thoughts a great deal, we often don't give sensory experiences their due.  And, that's a major oversight when considering that most addicts get addicted in order to have a sensory experience.  While the addict will often settle for 'numb,' that numbness is preceded by a 'euphoria.'  And, where that euphoria is generated is important when discussing recovery, especially when trying to break the cycle of suffering and running away from suffering.

But, I think there is more to the matter.  I think that there is room to make the argument that each of us experiences our physical world in a unique way.  For example, I like blue but you like red.  I like salty, but you like sweet.  People have sensory preferences that point to differing experiences.  My theory is that the differences in physical experiences lead to, in many cases, the conditions which lead to addiction.  Our physical experience of fear can either lead us to becoming psychopaths (too little) or shut-ins (too intense).

The addict often reports being 'sensitive'.  I think this is something worth exploring.