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Is the mind the problem or is desire the problem?

Topic: Spiritual GrowthPublished October 19, 2022

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Desire is the problem. Let us find out why? rnWhat is the mind?rnJust like the other senses, the human mind has its own function. The function of the mind is to think. It is neither good nor bad. rnYour mind of today is a display of your past life. Whatever you were doing and whatever you were involved in, in your past life, today that is all there within, in the form of subtle thoughts. Our mind of today means our opinions of the past. Whatever opinions we gave in the past life; that is what this (current life’s) mind is. And the opinions of this life will be the mind for the next life. For example, if in our past life, we had a strong inner intent that studying is good, then that is what is bound to reflect in our present life all the time. A seed was sown because of the intent we had. rnSo, mind is a vital component of the body, without which we will become absent-minded. This mind of ours is like a boat; if driven in the right direction, it will lead us to liberation! Desires and why are they a problem?rnThe moment one sees an appealing object, a desire to keep seeing it again and again arises within. Similarly, when one hears something very pleasing to the ears, a desire to keep listening to it again and again arises. Then when one smells something good, eats something delicious, or may touch something quite soft and smooth, a desire for it arises at once. Even listening to someone explaining how they enjoyed something very much, could also invoke a desire to experience the same. Desires are infinite. People’s notions [to satisfy those desires] are innumerable. With this, how would there ever be a solution for people? ~ Param Pujya Dada BhagwanrnOnce a desire for something sets in, it is like a fire. It constantly keeps burning until it is fulfilled, and before extinguishing, it gives rise to another desire. Thus, it is a never-ending cycle. As our need to fulfil the desire becomes more and more severe, that desire starts making us restless and unsettled until we acquire it. That is when the fire of desire usually becomes fuelled by an array of negative emotions such as envy, jealousy, fear, irritation, desperation, frustration, dissatisfaction, anger, pride, deceit, greed, etc. rnDriven by these emotions, one remains always unhappy and sad, which eventually gives rise to several reactions in the body. Moreover, when these emotions heighten, they largely torment us and torture others around us. The root cause of all suffering is desire. Desires create obstacles in living a peaceful and happy life. So, do you think desire is worth having or do you find it a problem?rnOne can become free from the effects of desires…rnif one attains Self-realisation. rnWhen we realise, ‘I am a pure Soul, an abode of eternal bliss’, all desires lose their charm. Desires begin to wither out and dissolve. rnSelf-realisation sets us free from the effects of desires and grants us liberation. To know more: https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/spiritual-science/know-the-human-mind/

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