The first lesson, the very bedrock upon which all delicious indulgence is built, is this: Honesty.
Not the simpering, self-flagellating “honesty” everyone prattles on about. No, I speak of the raw, unfiltered truth of Desire.
Look deeply within yourself. Past the layers of shame, guilt, and societal constraint they’ve wrapped around their wanting hearts like chains. Ask yourself:
- What do you truly crave, in the secret, silent moments when no one is watching?
- What thoughts make your breath catch, your skin flush?
- What pleasures do you deny yourself out of fear? Fear of judgment? Fear of your own capacity for feeling?
Within the hidden chambers of your own being, beneath the carefully constructed facade of daily life, lie dormant embers. These are the nascent sparks of desire, often unacknowledged, perhaps even suppressed. You must cultivate the courage to recognize their presence, to bring them into the light of conscious awareness. Articulate them without hesitation or self-reproach. Speak the unspoken longings aloud, allowing their sounds to resonate in the space around you.
Comprehend the fundamental truth that desire, in its myriad manifestations – from the quiet whisper of longing for connection to the insistent clamor of ambition, from the gentle pull of curiosity to the all-consuming ache of passion – is not a defect to be eradicated, but rather the vital force that animates a truly indulgent existence. It is the very fuel that propels us forward, that infuses our days with purpose and meaning. Consider this fire, this intrinsic yearning, as the gift offered by Asmodeus, a potent and transformative energy. It is the initial flicker that he encourages, the nascent heat that, with understanding and acceptance, can be nurtured and fanned into a magnificent and illuminating inferno, a testament to the richness and depth of your inner world. Embrace the full spectrum of your desires, for they are the compass guiding you towards a life lived with indulgence and authenticity.