According to Vivekananda, "true joy and happiness cannot come about as long as there is desire, but arises from the contemplative witness-like study of objects".
If there were no desire, why would one bother doing anything (including contemplating)? And if you do nothing, you would have no purpose and surely on the contrary be unhappy. Clearly I am misunderstanding...can anyone explain?
2007-12-16 10:55:59 · 20 answers · asked by okei 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Only if your desire rules your life.
2007-12-16 10:58:20 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Desire of objects is one thing, and though I haven't read Vivekananda, I suspect this is the type of desire referred to. An object is something you can only desire when you don't have it because as soon as you get it, there is nothing more to do.
Lasting happiness has to come from the journey, be it the effort to achieve something, traveling, spending time with a friend. These are experiences that bring a smile to your face every time you remember them. An item is soulless.
2007-12-16 19:05:29 · answer #2 · answered by wdmc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I desire to know more about something, does that make me unhappy? No, not even if I don't find out what I originally wanted to know, I learn something.
I'd bet the quote is meant to represent the desire of material things, but I don't know who Vivekananda is.
I would add that it isn't the desire of something that makes someone unhappy, in general, it is the means by which those desires are pursued.
2007-12-16 19:00:19 · answer #3 · answered by the_way_of_the_turtle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The statement to me means more so along the lines to let things come your way and enjoy them, not wanting to hold on or trying to grasp for some pleasure. This way, everything thing is more enjoyable and more diverse. But contrary to your statement about desire being the purpose of life, that is very untrue. There are many other things that do not adhere to desire which can be attained through the mind.
2007-12-16 19:00:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course, you must know this, that wanting something makes you suffer from not having it. Then after you get it, it doesn't satisfy you but you struggle to keep it anyway and then when it goes away you become unhappy.
To be desireless, like Buddha, is to attain infinite bliss of just being who you are. We think we are only our desires and that
desires creates an unending conflict of constantly wanting that we call our ego and our self.
To see what happens if you have no desire is desiring not to desire. Like wanting to have no thoughts with the thought of having no thoughts. But it's the seeing itself that "you" can't stop desires or thoughts that brings about beingness and the stopping of desire and thoughts. It feels like your floating or balancing on a high beam or surfing on an ocean wave.
If you need a goal, because life without one makes it meaningless, then choose to become free of having goals and realize God
2007-12-16 19:14:50 · answer #5 · answered by stale mate 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The main reason being that extinguishing desire give you freedom. I wouldn't say that the removal of desire brings joy, but it does bring contentment, and it gives you the freedom from being controlled by others who control what you desire.
I have destroyed most of my desires, and the best part is, once they are gone, you don't miss them. I mean, how could one miss the missing of something? As far as purpose goes, why does one need a purpose? Life is inherently purposeless, isn't it better to accept such a thing than to DESIRE purpose? To me, simply existing is enough.
2007-12-16 19:15:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the desire. Example: If I spent all my days and night desiring Beyonce, it would certianly lead to an unahppy life, cuz, it aint happening, know what I mean? On the other hand, if I desire to lead a healthy lifestyle, and that desire is great enough to get me to the gym 5 days a week, and correct my eating habits, I am going to be happier becasue of it.
Make sense?
2007-12-16 18:59:38 · answer #7 · answered by stoopidsoonerfan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is one of the most powerful tenets of Bhuddism.
Unhappiness, pain, suffering and anger are all caused by desire.
You desire something to happen....and when it does not, you suffer pain and anger, humiliation and grief.
Bhuddists do not desire things as much as we in the West do.
If we set a target and fail to reach it immediately, we go postal.
If a Bhuddist sets a goal, he knows he will get there eventually and does not anger if at first he fails. He will simply try again when the conditions are better, or move on to another task.
2007-12-16 19:04:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what you desire. If you desire something that will only bring short-term happiness (money, fame, etc.) then it will lead to unhappiness, whether you ultimately obtain that thing or not.
But if you desire things that are long-term and altruistic, like a loving family or a lifelong friend, then those desires can lead you to improve yourself, and this can lead to happiness.
2007-12-16 19:00:55 · answer #9 · answered by Conrad 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If there is not desire, there is nothing to look forward to. But then again true happiness is being happy with what you have. One could always look forward to something, but being happy where you are is contentment.
2007-12-16 19:03:06 · answer #10 · answered by punch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋