Sensibility can involve and does involve the ability to receive sensations. We wholeheartedly pursue pleasurable sensations throughout our life. We often avoid sensations that are unpleasant or uncomfortable. Thoughts are often involved in the pursuit of pleasurable sensations and in the avoidance of uncomfortable sensations. Reactions, as thoughts and feelings, often involve sensations of various types… and pursuit or avoidance involving them. Many of the cravings and evasions of people are learned (i.e., absorbed from others). What others — in overall society — pursue and crave is often examined and copied. Needless to say, in this day and age, many are into heavy partying, exotic vacations, and all kinds of entertainment. Much of this involves endlessly trying to find exciting and pleasurable sensations.
One can go on, for many decades, perpetually pursuing one pleasurable experience after another (ruining the environment along the way)… just as one has learned to do by observing many others (who buzz along in large fossil-fueled vehicles). It may be, however, that the values involved in a life of doing that kind of thing are rather superficial, without real depth. To remain in such a state may be rather infantile. Sensibility can also, beyond the aforementioned involvement with limited sensations, pertain to an acute awareness with an overall accompanying perception and intelligence involving what is significant and prudent. Real prudence involves sagacity and sensibility beyond what was merely poured into one by others. Such prudence goes far beyond what is merely pleasurable into realms that help life and humanity (without getting anything in return). The childish mind will be incapable of such prudence; real depth will elude such a mind.
Endlessly pursuing one pleasure after another (without depth), and a donkey perpetually chasing a carrot suspended from a stick tied to its saddle, both have a lot in common. Intelligence goes beyond mere reaction; it is not what is bound in (and “as”) endless reactions. What is restricted and circumscribed is limited. Sensibly going beyond the limitations of what is ordinary may be real intelligence. The carrot is really not something that is truly separate from the donkey, though he thinks it is. The next time desire takes place, please consider the possibility that it is what you actually are, not merely what you have.
Carrot Groping (1) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2017
Carrot Groping (2) Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2017
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Great blog. Sums up the modern generation perfectly.
Thank you, Francis! 🙂 It pertains to the older generation very much too! A lot of older people we know are addicted to alcohol, even though they claim they can stop at any time, and often go traveling in large fossil-fuel-pollution spewing jets to countries around the world (merely for self-entertainment).
Going “…beyond mere reaction”… that really is to think about, as we do react much, somehow without acting enough in order to change or improve. Interesting post, the photo is simply splendid! 🙂
Thank you, Nicole! 🙂 Yes, so many are constituted of one reaction after another (which is mechanical/mechanistic and is not really living whatsoever); yet they assume that they are alive!
Profound words for thoughts. Thank you.
We sure hope so! Thank you much, Astrid! Keep pondering! 🙂
Insightful, Tom. I also think Google/Google map and online info have made it easy for travelers. Whenever we decide to travel, I spend several months to study their culture, arts, and history.
Great Blog Entry! “The carrot is not truly separate from a donkey” is insightfull.. How about the third, being the one that rides. Thank you for a great blog!
This post is so true. But unfortunately people around us don’t understand the depth of what you are trying to say. They are addicted to the momentary pleasure , addicted to the reaction of an action.
Your horse photos took my breath away for a moment. So lovely. I had a very pleasurable sensation of depth seeing them.