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Pleasure Installation
"Lies are essential to humanity.
They are perhaps as important as the pursuit of pleasure and
moreover are dictated by that pursuit':

- Marcel Proust

"Lies are essential to humanity.

They are perhaps as important as the pursuit of pleasure and
moreover are dictated by that pursuit."
- Marcel Proust

Rebuild your happiness.

Many of us have lost our connection to happiness.

It may be because we need to recover from something that was
psychologically overwhelming, or from the frog-in-a-kettle death of
happiness that creeps up on us as we become over-invested in
superficial things.
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Whatever the reason, this pattern can be instrumental in

restoring that connection.

It also helps you better grasp the values that you hold and that
affect how you can expand your life happiness.

Step #1.
Make your happiness list.

Make a list of many things that bring you happiness.

If you think of happiness as being what happens when you
consciously enjoy experiencing pleasure, this opens up a world of
pleasurable sensations that you can enjoy.
Anything from a thrilling sport to a meditative environment can
go on your list.

Step #2.
Select one of the items.

Select an item that is especially good.

It must be one that you can clearly tie to sensory experience.
Taking a hot herbal bubble bath with Epsom salts is an example
that involves several sub-modalities.

Step #3.
Mind map your happiness values.

You can do this in your mind, but we suggest that you take a
piece of paper.
In the center, place the happiness experience that you selected.
Ask yourself the question, "What personal value and meaning
turns this pleasure into happiness?"
Draw a line from the experience, and write the answer at the end
of that line.
An example is: "This is a time for stress management that is
good for my health.
I know I'll feel relaxed and flexible after this, and besides that, it
symbolizes class and luxury."
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Keep creating answers like this until you are satisfied with this
exploration.

Step #4.
Place a second tier on your mind map.

For one of the answers, ask another question:

"What personal value and meaning makes this answer a
pleasure for me?"
Draw a line from the answer and write the new answer at the end
of the line.
Generate as many answers as you like.
Do this for each of the first tier of answers, so that you have two
layers of answers, one after the other.

Step #5.
Enjoy the enhanced happiness state.

Take a few moments to relax and take in the meanings that you
have noted and that drive your pleasure state.
This is sensory pleasure expanded into happiness through your
values.

Step #6.
Carry your enhanced happiness into other activities.

Amplify your pleasure state and step into it.

Imagine other pleasurable activities and what it can be like to
bring this state into those activities.

Step #7.
Expand your pleasure activity zone.

Think of other sensory-based experiences to which you could

anchor this pleasure state.
Imagine being involved in these activities in this state.
Notice how it can change how you participate and what kind of
creativity or other positive traits come from you.
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Imagine how it might expand your involvement with learning,

work, or interpersonal situations.

Step #8.
Test.

Over the coming days and weeks, notice any ways that you are
able to experience activities, situations, and relationships with
constructive pleasure.
Return to this pattern to refine your skill based on the results.
Using this pattern can make it much more obvious where you
really need to use it, once you get a feel for it.