We all desire something at some point in our lives. Whether it is a new car, a bigger house, or just more money in the bank account, desire is what drives us to achieve our goals. But is desire bad? Is it wrong to want something?
Desire is not bad. In fact, it is essential for keeping the world together. When we want something, we usually feel a sense of excitement and happiness. However, there are times when wanting something can also lead to feelings of frustration, disappointment, and even envy.
The key is to focus on the positive outcomes of what you desire. For example, if you want a new job, focus on how it will make the lives of others better.
In this article, we will explore the nature of desire and determine if it is bad or not. We will also learn how to want something without feeling bad about it. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about the underlying universal force of desire, the longing of one for another.
Desire: The Universal Force That Keeps All Matter Together
Desire is the force that keeps all matter together. It is what gives us the longing for "some thing" or "no thing" and drives us to achieve our goals. Without desire, we would not be motivated to do anything. We would simply exist in a state of apathy.
So, if the desire is essential for keeping the world together, why do we sometimes feel bad about wanting something?
The answer lies in our own perception of desire. If we see desire as a negative force, then it will become negative for us. However, if we see it as a positive force, then it can be used to improve our lives and the lives of others.
Every particle of solid matter in the universe has a "desire" to remain in place and interconnected with other particles, which in total results in an object, organism, and/or other expressions of life.
Our body itself desires itself in a variety of ways to ensure it doesn't fall apart. Just like our lungs desire to continue breathing, the human experience also comes with a more subtle and spiritual desire.
Is it possible that all of our desires in life have an underlying desire to them? Is it possible that because of this underlying desire, we are often seeking out the next desire to fulfill this itch? Well, it's quite likely that this is the case.
Separation Breeds Emotionally-Driven Desire
Returning to union outside of the body and matter can help us better understand this. As divine energy that infuses our bodies with life, and instills our minds with intellect upon the consciousness, we are already infinitely part and the whole to the eternal presence.
Hence, when we become dismembered (i.e identified with individual aspects of our totality), we begin to, by the very nature of Identity, separate from unity but only in our intellectual and perception-level mental processes.
We long for infinity (not belonging to all, but being all) for eternity (not bound by time, but timeless). This can be a complicated desire to ascertain using the limited capabilities of the body.
Thus, as the old adage says "takes one to know one" we must rediscover the true nature of our being, not only to obliterate deconstructive desires but to establish constructive desires with new meaning.
Is Desire Fundamentally Bad: Why Do Certain Religions/Cultures Oppose Desire?
Certain religions and cultures have traditionally opposed desire because they see it as the root of all suffering. In Buddhism, for example, desire is seen as one of the main causes of suffering. The thinking is that if we can rid ourselves of desire, then we can be free from suffering.
While this may be true to some extent, it is also true that without desire, we would not be motivated to do anything. As physical begins, we would remain stagnant in total apathy. However, one of the outcomes of Buddhism is also exceeding the limitation of the body fully.
So, while desire may be the root of some suffering, it is also the root of all motivation and achievement.
In Hindu traditions, desire is seen as a necessary part of the creative process. Hindus believe that the world was created out of desire and that it is desire that keeps the world going.
The difference between these two perspectives is that Buddhism sees desire as something to be overcome, while Hinduism sees it as something to be used constructively.
But at the end of the day, if you don't prescribe any outlook on life established by culture or religion, you are, by the merit of individuality, living in your own reality. This reality is entirely fundamental to you, regardless of whether it is based on truth or not. Hence, we do not know what we do not know.
So it's up to you to decide or to discover a better outlook on how to approach life with your desires in hand.
How To Want Something Without Feeling Bad About It: The Secret Is In Your Intentions
The secret to wanting something without feeling bad about it is in your intentions. If you want something for the right reasons (these reasons are often established by our beliefs), then you will not feel bad about it. It's very rare for our reasons to be established based on truth, unless explicitly developed.
For example, if you want a new car because you need to get to work and your current car is not reliable, then this is a good reason.
However, if you want a new car because you want to keep up with the Joneses or because you think it will make you happy, then these reasons are often built out of comparative fear or beliefs of not being enough.
Of course, this is a very crude way of looking at things, but it's quite applicable in most cases. Our desires are very potent, so it's best that we analyze them for what they are and then assign a priority to their existence.
In an ideal (not necessarily perfect) world, our desires are would be entirely built on intentions that have a foundation in truth. Truth is very liberating but also difficult to bear unless you're physically and mentally prepared for it.
So if your intentions are based on falsehoods, they will likely lead to negative consequences such as frustration, disappointment, and even regret.
To summarize, desire is not bad if we understand how to use it constructively. The key is in our intentions.
How to Modify & Deconstruct Our Desires In Accordance With Our Beliefs
The process of modifying and deconstructing desires is cohesively related to our deeply-instilled beliefs, which are never present on the ever-dynamic surface.
If we want to analyze our desires appropriately, they must not fit into this presupposition:
Humans desire infinity for eternity.
This is an immovable and unchangeable underlying desire not only for humanity but for all of life. So any other desire is fair game, desires for material things and less-tangible ones.
The first step in this process would be to uncover the foundation of our desire, which would be our belief. Because most of our time (perception of present experience) is spent in a first-person past-present state, our intention is not to determine "rights or wrongs" but to examine the foundation of our being.
The second step is to empower analysis and judgment-free reevaluation of the belief. To do this, we can utilize alternative perspectives (meditation is great for this).
We can discover new information by reading, watching videos, listening to people, and even writing on paper. Finally, we can come across counter-examples that directly challenge our beliefs on a fundamental level; because of this, our reaction is often not pleasant at first.
Take a look at this diagram to understand the process of modifying our desires on a belief level.
We are never ready to change our beliefs unless we are open to doubt them. If we are open to doubt our beliefs, we begin to find contradicting or enlightening information. In most cases, desperation will lead to opening up our beliefs.
After this, we can commit to change. We transition into being open to believing. Remember that this should not occur due to opinions, feelings, or whims. Facts and personal experience are the best foundation for changes in belief.
Your Desires Wait for You
Desire is not bad. It is a natural part of the human experience.
However, if we want to avoid feeling bad about our desires, we need to be aware of our intentions. When our intentions are based on truth, we are more likely to achieve our goals without negative consequences.
Therefore, it is important that we take the time to analyze our desires and ensure that they are in line with our personal values and core identity.
When we do this, we can be sure that our desires are serving us instead of hindering us. So go out and discover your true desires! They are waiting for you.
If you'd like to learn more about desires and beliefs, check out our free comprehensive resource that covers spiritual and scientific foundations about the topic.
