So as long as you can forget your body you are happy and the moment you begin to be aware of your body, you are wretched. So if civilization is any good, it has to help us forget our bodies, and then time passes happily without our knowing it. Help us get rid of our bodies altogether.
The quote from D.H. Lawrence's "Lady Chatterley's Lover" reflects on the relationship between physical awareness and emotional well-being. It suggests that true happiness is found in forgetting about the physical self. When one becomes conscious of their body, it leads to discomfort and unhappiness, emphasizing the idea that body awareness can detract from joy.
Moreover, the quote critiques civilization's role in this dynamic. It posits that a truly beneficial civilization should provide means for individuals to transcend bodily awareness, enabling them to experience life more fully. When people are free from the burdens of their physical existence, they can find happiness and let time pass without the weight of their bodies hindering their experiences.
