Moderation.

When it comes to pleasure the answer is not the extremes of excess indulgence or fanatical self-denial.

The answer is the recommendation of the Buddha - the Middle Path of Moderation.

It is interesting that the inscription of the Oracle of Delphi - at the Temple of Apollo - reads: "Nothing in Excess."

And the saying; "All things in moderation" dates from the Greek Philosopher Hesiod in 700 BCE.

So there is a history behind the practice of Moderation.

The temptation, of course, is to eliminate pleasure altogether out of fear.

But this leads to repression which causes perversions.

So do not be afraid of pleasure.

Pleasure in moderation is pleasing to God.

Photo Credit: h.koppdelaney Flickr via Compfight cc

(The image has been slightly modified.)