Desire, anger and scar

[Guest guest]

Ragu Raghuraman wrote:

>

> Hi,

>

> As a lurker who prefers to remain so because of no- qualification to

> ask questions about advaita(let alone participate), I could use your

> further thoughts on the following:

>

> The One appears as many precisely because of its own desire. The

> purpose of life advocated by advaita is based on the desire for

> moksham. At its core, all creative and passionate efforts, observed by

> all of us, originate from desire. Am I mistaken?

>

> Not discounting the moral of the story but it did set me off in a

> tangent.

>

> Thanks. Regards.

>

> Ragu

 

Dear Ragu:

 

First, all answers regarding advaita are unqualified and hence

qualification is unnecessary! The Upanishads states "the more we know,

the more we don't know" and consequently qualifications are

insufficient! Your observation about desire is correct and Gitacharya

also makes a similar statement. What we can do is to divert our desires

to higher level. Gita declares that only way to attain nodesire is to

desire the Love of God (Bhakti Marg). The subtle message is to avoid

selfish desires and divert the efforts toward the happiness of everyone!

Happiness of everyone is synonimous to Brahman!

 

Examples. Drunkards have the desire to drink! Drinking induces more

drinking and if the liqur is not available, anger comes and later the

drunkard realizes but it is too late. This cycle continues unless the

drunkard gives up drinking! But smokers and drunkers need other desires

to get rid of these desires. The scripture (also, the moral of the

story) suggests that non-smoking (non-drinking) is better than smoking

(drinking) because, irrepairable damage can occur to lungs (liver).

 

Please post your questions directly to the posts. I am posting this

reply with your question to the post for two reasons:

(1) You have a valid question and I encourage you post them directly.

(2) Others who have questions should also post without any fear.

This is a friendly group of individuals who appreciate questions and

fully understand that questions never end!

 

Ram Chandran

Burke, VA