If we closely observe how our minds function, we will notice a constant stream of desires. Consciously or unconsciously, we always desire things - clothes, footwear, gadgets, vehicles, houses, furniture, jobs, projects, name, fame, recognition etc. The list is endless and drains away our spiritual energy. When the mind is entangled in materialistic desires, it cannot move forward. Desire is like a large thorny bush from which it is very difficult to disentangle oneself.
Even the subtle desire that others should appreciate our work and thank us should be absent. This behaviour can be clearly observed when we invite guests for a meal. We cook an elaborate meal and wait eagerly for their praise when we serve it to them. If they don’t say anything, we begin to fish for compliments! We ask -“How is the soup? Did you like the dessert? Do the vegetables have enough salt?”
A film producer spends millions in making a movie. After watching it, people either say -“It was good”, or “It was terrible.” They have a great desire to make a movie that will gain the approbation of millions of people. To some, this desire may seem unworthy of so much expenditure and effort. Similarly, many of our own desires may seem silly to others. We should never try to judge other people’s desires. Let us first evaluate our own. Remember that every desire we have will be fulfilled at some point in our lives. Our list of desires is endless. So, the Soul says - “Oh! I have to keep jumping from one body to another till all these desires are fulfilled.” We are thus trapped in the merry-go-round of desires, which is nothing but the relentless wheel of birth and death.
To prevent this, we must put a ceiling on our desires. When our lives are ruled by desire, tension will make us perspire. Desire creates expectations and expectations create Karma. Karma shackles us to the vicious loop of birth and death. Our Soul tells us -“Gather spiritual energy everyday. Strengthen the mind and the spirit. Practise constant awareness and keep an account of your good and bad actions. Impose a limit on your desires.”
Keeping this in mind, if we go to an Ashram, we hear about so many forthcoming projects. There may be a proposal to bring out new audio tapes and books to spread their Guru’s teachings. There may be a proposal to conduct free medical camps etc.
We may wonder - “Are these also not desires?” Yes, they are. These are desires to help others. They bring light into other people’s lives. They fill us with good thoughts and emotions and generate good Karma.
Such noble desires are sanctioned by spirituality and encouraged by the Guru.
So, instead of selfishly aiming to achieve our personal goals and ambitions, let us utilise our desires to do good to people, help them out of their bad times and fill their lives with a new light of hope.
This article has been written by His Holiness Shri Shri Nimihananda Guruji. For more details visit www.shrinimishamba.org