How to be happy. The role of desires
Nobody can escape the pull of desire. It starts small and it can extend to things we may logically know we cannot attain. Yet, the pull is so strong we cannot resist. If there is a genuine necessity and we desire something reasonable to meet such a necessity, it is one thing. But if we go from desiring a necessity to purely desiring for the sake of imagined pleasure, we are surreptitiously inviting sorrow into our lives. Desire opens the door for sadness. Persistence and expectation keep that door open.
When we desire something and we attain it, we automatically begin to desire something bigger. For example, those who cannot afford any other means of transportation other than walking may begin to desire to have a bicycle. Those who have a bicycle may desire something faster and more comfortable like a car. And those who have a car and other comforts may desire to travel only by air. It is all right to desire a better and faster means of transport if there is a need for it and we have the means. But, just because others have something, if we try to mimic them we may go beyond our ability to fulfill those desires and that will surely lead to disappointment and misery.
There are certain things we can adopt in our daily lives which may help us with the pull of desires.
Always maintain an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful weapon against desire. If we are content with what we have, we close the door to desire. It will have no way of entering our awareness. If we look at our lives, chances are that there are so many blessings that are either under or not appreciated. Taking stock of our lives and being thankful for everything we have, will immediately boost our sense of wellbeing.
Have no ego. Ego manifests as jealousy. If we find ourselves being jealous, our ego is in play. Rather than feeling jealous, we can instead appreciate the good fortune of others and wish for them to enjoy their possessions to the fullest. At the same time, hold the feeling of being freed from the responsibility of holding those possessions. After all, more the value of something, greater is the responsibility to protect that possession.
Everyone gets an opportunity. It may not be when we want it, but it will come on its own schedule. We need to be ready for our opportunity. Patience may be required. Once we get an opportunity we should make sure we do not waste it and take great care not to make mistakes. Commonly, we have one eye on what others may be doing while we pursue our opportunities. It creates comparison and leads to jealousy. Consequently, our attention will not be on our work and we may end up making mistakes.
No one has a guaranteed tomorrow. Whether we are rich or poor, successful or a failure today, tomorrow is not certain. If we are flexible and not pursue joy or run from sorrow, we become neutral and only through neutrality we can fully enjoy the present. Success or failure is a comparison and not an absolute. In this very moment, we are all successful, as we have the blessings of existence, which is keeping us alive.
If have to desire, it is better to desire less than what we can reasonably get, then we leave room for contentment and appreciation, without which happiness cannot remain.
Blessings to all,
Swami Ponnurangam
April 24, 2019
When we desire something and we attain it, we automatically begin to desire something bigger. For example, those who cannot afford any other means of transportation other than walking may begin to desire to have a bicycle. Those who have a bicycle may desire something faster and more comfortable like a car. And those who have a car and other comforts may desire to travel only by air. It is all right to desire a better and faster means of transport if there is a need for it and we have the means. But, just because others have something, if we try to mimic them we may go beyond our ability to fulfill those desires and that will surely lead to disappointment and misery.
There are certain things we can adopt in our daily lives which may help us with the pull of desires.
Always maintain an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful weapon against desire. If we are content with what we have, we close the door to desire. It will have no way of entering our awareness. If we look at our lives, chances are that there are so many blessings that are either under or not appreciated. Taking stock of our lives and being thankful for everything we have, will immediately boost our sense of wellbeing.
Have no ego. Ego manifests as jealousy. If we find ourselves being jealous, our ego is in play. Rather than feeling jealous, we can instead appreciate the good fortune of others and wish for them to enjoy their possessions to the fullest. At the same time, hold the feeling of being freed from the responsibility of holding those possessions. After all, more the value of something, greater is the responsibility to protect that possession.
Everyone gets an opportunity. It may not be when we want it, but it will come on its own schedule. We need to be ready for our opportunity. Patience may be required. Once we get an opportunity we should make sure we do not waste it and take great care not to make mistakes. Commonly, we have one eye on what others may be doing while we pursue our opportunities. It creates comparison and leads to jealousy. Consequently, our attention will not be on our work and we may end up making mistakes.
No one has a guaranteed tomorrow. Whether we are rich or poor, successful or a failure today, tomorrow is not certain. If we are flexible and not pursue joy or run from sorrow, we become neutral and only through neutrality we can fully enjoy the present. Success or failure is a comparison and not an absolute. In this very moment, we are all successful, as we have the blessings of existence, which is keeping us alive.
If have to desire, it is better to desire less than what we can reasonably get, then we leave room for contentment and appreciation, without which happiness cannot remain.
Blessings to all,
Swami Ponnurangam
April 24, 2019
