Ah, desire. It is a wily one. Desire can keep us chasing the insatiable dream and preoccupied with the future. Yet, it can fuel accomplishment, fulfillment and contribution as well. Buddhism points to its inherent downside. Indeed, the second of the Four Noble Truths holds that craving, lust and desire are the cause of suffering. How can one ever feel at peace when he or she is continuously striving for more?
Conversely, desire is hailed as an essential driving force of life. Napolean Hill, author of the classic, Think and Grow Rich, calls desire “the starting point of all all achievement.” Desire can prompt us to utilize our 
talents and live up to our potential. The appetite for answers, love, art, authenticity–even money and fame, have produced gifts from the likes of Thomas Edison, George Lucas and even the outrageously ornamented Lady Gaga. In the words of Jerry Hicks, “Between what you have and what you want lies creative genius.” Indeed, getting in touch with your deepest heart’s desire can serve as a compass, pointing to your inner truth.
In this non-dual world, it is not surprising that both the benefits and detriments of desire are simultaneously in play. While it is crucial that we identify and move towards our longings, we cannot afford to become slaves to them. The trick is holding both our desires and our contentment at once, in a harmonious balance. But is it possible? Can we want it all and be happy with what we have–all at the same time?
Faith,
Your new post made me brainstorming a lot!!! And still, I cannot answer to myself if it’s possible to keep a harmonious balance between what I already have and what I don’t have but still desire.
I agree with Marcia Wieder’s teaching that “Desire is a powerful force that can be used to make things happen”. So yes, desire is a force, but there also needs to be some action. If my desire is to have a nice apartment, good car, good education etc.- I can take some actions, get a job, start saving, sign up for a class. But what if my desire is less “touchable”, let’s say love … Well, I can be open, sending positive thoughts, good energy… But what if it’s not happening, if I don’t see any results?! Is it because it’s not meant to be? So what about “you can have anything you want –if you want it badly enough”?
Often, I just cross it out from my ‘desire/dream list’. I don’t think this is right, but to not become a miserable, unhappy slave to it – this is what I’m doing.
Well, I’ve found some very nice quote about desire: “If you greatly desire something, have the guts to stake everything on obtaining it”. Maybe I’m missing that.
Teresa,
You know, I have struggled with this myself and it is something I will address in my book. The question is, if setting the intention and focusing on the positive outcome is the way to manifest your desires, what if it’s not happening? Right? Well, I do believe there is value in knowing what you want and pouring energy towards it. However, the key is to then LET GO. So, if we are talking about LOVE (and why not?)- here is what I suggest:
-Envision what you want. Then practice feeling it. Write about it. See it in detail in your mind. Feel it in your body. Perhaps journal about it or do a collage of hot partners that match your vision, etc.
-Let it go. Surrender the rest to Spirit.
This process is what I call Intention/Surrender. The 2nd part is essential. What Law of Attraction teaches is that you can have what you want if you believe it. But if we go around believing “it” willfully and trying to control or force an outcome, we don’t make space for it to unfold naturally. So I suggest, YES, keep those desires alive. BUT, taking a deliberate focus off of them, giving the universe a chance to conspire in your favor.
Hold the vision, but hold it lightly.
What do you think?
Faith,
I love spiritual books, self-growth/self-improvement books; I am reading them all the time. But after reading your replay to my command I just cannot wait for your book to be published! In just few words you’ve explained more and cleared doubts I had. I didn’t get that from any other book (and I am very honest!). Thank you!
Thank you for your advice, suggestions … Finally, I am starting to see what fake “feeling it” is, and what’s the real one. So many times I was “forcing” myself to feel “it”. So yes, trying to force an outcome. And when nothing had happened – disappointment showed up. Then my only thought was ‘it’s not working’, and the “it’s NOT WORKING thought” brings opposite effects, I think.
Trust – I think that’s the key word for me here. Trusting the universe that whatever happens it’s in my favor. No doubts, fears – just trust.
Brilliant! Congratulations, Teresa. You have got it!
Hello, Faith – you managed to describe DESIRE, without shedding any light onto its definition… and the DEFINITION of DESIRE is that it is THAT WHICH IS NOT DEFINABLE! …That is to say DESIRE TRULY IS neither “desirable” NOR “undesirable”… Desire just TRULY IS. As a matter of fact, DESIRE is ALL THERE IS. (That’s why Buddha Joe said that in order to cease to exist, DESIRE must be transcended — because DESIRE IS EXISTENCE. Conversely, THERE AIN’T NO EXISTENCE without DESIRE).
God, like Desire, is IMPOSSIBLE TO DEFINE – and to judge. And that is because God IS DESIRE.
Desire = LOVE, and LOVE WILLS itself into EXISTENCE – from the NOTHING.
Your friend,
Judas
Thank you Judas,
DESIRE! It sounds like you would not fight it, nor give into it, but let it be? Please tell me how you deal with desire. It seems to me, we cannot help but be led by desire. But when desire consumes us, we can become gluttonous. Maybe the question is, is it not dangerous to follow every desire without discernment? Please share your thoughts.
Best,
Faith
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