When does it become conscious? (pleasure)

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This has been discussed here before, I know, but who has a good definition for when something becomes conscious in terms of (sexually) pleasurous feelings?

Like, if I am just absentminded and excited about something else and maybe make a certain movement that I then realize might have lead to a quick pleasurous feeling, and then I am not quite sure if I was conscious when it happened (did I will it to happen?) or not, could that then be a mortal sin, and if yes, what would make it a mortal sin?

Kathrin
 
This has been discussed here before, I know, but who has a good definition for when something becomes conscious in terms of (sexually) pleasurous feelings?

Like, if I am just absentminded and excited about something else and maybe make a certain movement that I then realize might have lead to a quick pleasurous feeling, and then I am not quite sure if I was conscious when it happened (did I will it to happen?) or not, could that then be a mortal sin, and if yes, what would make it a mortal sin?

Kathrin
See here:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=400899

Post #15
 
I don’t wanna be judgemental or anything, but I think you are really overthinking this. 😉

There is a difference between actively thinking lustful thoughts and masturbating, and feeling a brush “down there” and feeling pleasure from it. I don’t think that is a problem at all. It happens. 🙂
 
If it is done with the “intent” in place and carried to fruition it is indeed mortal but,
I believe that we can attach too much guilt into some of the things we do eliminating, or trying to eliminate our human nature. Remember, God himself put these feelings into us so that we would become aware of our need to procreate and too embrace the act of love that takes place between men and women. When we attach sin and/or penalties to such simple feelings we suppress these and this is what sometimes leads to promiscuity and other types of behavior that is indeed sin.
 
For a mortal sin, you need choice. That’d be choice to do what’s matter of sin. The choice can take place after something has already started, but no mortal sin can happen without choice. Normal reactions of the body are not sins, intentionally provoking them or welcoming and dwelling on them can be. Particulars and details are best discussed with a priest (a learned and orthodox one), who can also deal with scrupulosity if that’s what you have a problem with (dissecting moral situations that appear trivial to other people can be a clue). Anyway, do go to a priest with this one. I did.
 
I know it’s likely a scrupulosity problem when the thoughts start about whether I remember right whether I was aware or not… ok and here I also have to remember that for a scrupulous person, if you’re not sure, then consider it scrupulosity and not sin… but then sometimes there are border cases still… (like, what if I am not sure whether I am sure or not ;))

Seriously. Sometimes there are moments when we are half-aware. Or suddenly realize we are doing something and kind of get the feeling we HAVE been aware, but maybe not totally consciously aware. Maybe this is nit-picking… 🤷
Kathrin
 
It’s funny, I actually asked a priest in confession this same question. He responded that if we worried about every little thing we did we wouldn’t be able to live as normal human beings. In other words, don’t freak out about stuff you have no control over. Things like that happen and they are only accidents. In order for it to be a moral sin you would have had to have given full consent. In such a brienf moment as moving there’s absolutely no time to give consent. Don’t worry 😃
 
kathrin ,the only person who can answer this question is yourself.I read an interesting book a while ago called "healing and feeling ones emotions"by Dr.Conrad Baars.It deals with the effects that emotions and feelings have in our lives and the consequenses of repressing any of these or sublimating (transfering them to another emotion).I think speaking as a male ,my sexual feelings and arousal is much simpler to identify,feelings (and imaginations)are just that,it is only when a male becomes mentally aware of these feelings that a proper response can be made.If the person is not married,the right way is to acknowlege this feeling,using the rational mind which could even be a prayer, something along these lines."thank you Jesus for my sexually,thank you for creating women in your own image and likeness,but this type of pleasure in meant only to be carried out within the marriage act,I renounce this feeling,please help me to be always pure in mind,heart and soul.Oh Most Pure Heart of Mary,make me pure in body and in mind and in heart.Then use the will to take your mind somewhere else.This is an example only but, I find that this is a very healthy way to deal with especially strong sexual urges.I cannot speak for women but from what I have read,your are more complicated in your emotions and sexual feelings, as they take on romantic immaginative images and thoughts.But still the response is the same as would be for males.They are only feelings,acknowledge them and then use the mind to uplift the pleasureable feelings to a higher plain,perhaps with a pray something like this "thank you Jesus for giving us and creating men,how manly and beautiful they are(as a male I have to say this!!!) but since I am not married I offer you these feelings(and fantasy) and emotions,help me not to give into these feeling and thoughts until I am married, if this is your will for my vocation in life.Oh Most Pure Heart of Mary,make me pure in body and in mind and in heart.Amen.Then use the will to do something else or to take your mind elsewhere.If ever anyone can get a copy of Feeling ang Healing Owns’ Emotions I would highly recommend it.When the authors Dr.Conrad Baars and Anna Terrawe told Pope John Paul II The Great about their work, he told them it is a gift to the Church!! The gifted Fr.Jordan Aumann O.P. co-wrote some books on this subject with them.We need to see that wonderful gift that God gave in making us Male and Female,a positive theology of the body is a refreshing study of Gods’ Creation.To conclude, feelings ( and imaginations)and emotions are our natural receptive responses,it can only be a sin if we deliberatly hold onto them when we are aware that they are there and not appropriate to our state of life.“Thank you Lord,for I am wonderfully made"and"Thank you for the wonder of my being”!!
 
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