Here are some things I’ve learned about pleasure from my own journey:

* pleasure is a learned skill as much as an innate one. Deeper pleasure is cultivated in sexuality the same way it is with fine art, exotic foods, and many other things that develop with time, curiosity and exposure.

* pleasure is expanded through experiencing another person’s pleasure. Have you ever gone to a concert and fell in love with a musician that never interested you prior? Or had a sexual partner that got so much pleasure from touching you that your own pleasure doubled or tripled?

* pleasure is cultivated more easily in pleasurable environments. What happens when you try to take a nap next door to a construction site? Or relax on a beach covered in trash? Yes, sometimes you can ignore your environment, but pleasure is made possible by creating specific environments that support pleasure. Think about what you pay for at a nice restaurant- the environment! Cloth napkins, well dressed waiters, beautiful china and the perfect temperature all create the foundation of a pleasurable experience.