Inquiries Into the Absolute: Digest 196, Self-love; How do desiresappear?

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Digest 196, November 28th 2006. Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja

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How do desires appear?

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Question: May I ask for some explanation for the role of the Supersoul in the

appearance of a living being's desires? The whole process seems to be out of

reach for a living being's self control.

 

Answer: Desires are concomitant with the soul; to have no desires is

characteristic of inanimate dull matter. In other words, it is not possible to

conceive of a living being without desires. It is thus misleading to think of

'appearance' of a living entity's desires; we always have some desire or

another. The nature of one's desires may vary, falling into one of 2 categories

- either in relation to service to the Supreme, or for independent enjoyment;

this choice depends upon one's own freewill. (Please see Digests 2, 77 & 140

for more discussion on free-will)

 

The Supersoul is not responsible for and does not interfere with our desires

and choices, but we are dependent upon His help to fulfill our desires. The

Supersoul is seated in our hearts as the witness and is neutral to whatever

choice we make. He gives remembrance of our previous desires (or choices of

association within the modes of nature), and facilitates our enjoyment of those

desires in different types of bodies. (BG 13.23, 15.15)

 

What influences our desires to a great degree is association. Krishna describes

this in BG 2.62, sangaat sanjayate kaamah: by coming in contact with the

objects of senses, one begins to contemplate about them, becomes attached to

the idea of enjoying them and thus material desires develop. On the other hand,

when one comes in contact with saintly association, appreciates that

association and renders some favorable service then one develops spiritual

desires. Material desire (to enjoy the senses) causes bondage, whereas

spiritual desires (to serve the Supreme) are liberating. As Srila Prabhupada

often remarked, desires need not be given up or suppressed, we need to only

change the quality of our desires, from the desire for enjoyment into the

desire to serve the Lord.

 

For those of us presently conditioned by material desires, sense-control is an

important stepping stone to help us become detached from the spirit of

enjoyment. However, artificially restricting the senses is not effective - even

great yogis and sages have failed in that department, and our own attempts to

do so *on our own strength* is what makes it seem impossible and out of reach.

The key factor in being able to control the senses is in making the right

freewill choice in deciding to serve Krishna. Conversely, when the living

entity is averse to serve the Supreme Lord, he himself comes under the control

of the senses and becomes their servant.

 

As we learn from BG, the soul is superior to the mind and senses (BG 3.42-43

http://vedabase.net/bg/3/42/en) So when the spirit soul firmly chooses to serve

Krishna, the Lord helps him to advance by cleansing material desires from his

heart. When this proper choice is made, then the mind and senses can be

systematically trained to engage in the service of Krishna. Scriptures provide

a systematic program by which the senses are given superior engagement - this

process is known as yoga, and among the different types of yoga, bhakti yoga is

recommended by Krishna as the highest, both easy and sublime. By applying

ourselves to this scientific process, step-by-step our desires can be

transformed, and even though the senses are very strong, like serpents, they

will be subdued and no more effective than serpents with broken fangs.

 

In practicing yoga, a regulated life in the mode of goodness is very conducive

for self-control. Excessive association with the mode of passion and ignorance

- characterized by ambitious plans for material progress and comforts or a

highly unregulated life - these make self-control very difficult. Within the

framework of a regulated life, rising early and regularly chanting the Holy

names of Krishna and eating only Krishna prasadam - these are some simple

measures that are highly effective in helping us control the senses, when

firmly practiced along with strongly cultivating the desire to serve Krishna.

The Lord has given us many opportunities and arrangements, good instructions in

the form of scriptures and good association --- taking advantage of these can

help us overcome the pushings of the senses.

 

Self-love

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Question: I would just like to ask if a bad person can love himself (is it

allowed to)? Can this help him to become a better person?

 

Answer: Each one of us is part and parcel of Krishna. Thus originally we are

all pure; the soul itself is neither bad or good.

 

By turning away from God and coming into the association of material energy,

one becomes infected with bad qualities - thus the solution is simply turn our

loving attention back to Krishna or God and once again all the good qualities

of demigods will become manifest in that person.

 

A 'bad' person certainly need not condemn himself. They can apply the teaching

"Hate the sin, not the sinner" towards themselves - i.e. recognize that their

previous conduct and mentality was not correct and regret it, but be willing to

forgive themselves. The next important step is to see beyond this temporary

setback into their original eternal nature as pure soul, in relation with God -

as an eternal servant of God and thus very dear to Him. It is not unnatural for

a reforming soul to feel some remorse for their previous misdeeds - such

sincere regret can be helpful when rightly done as it burns away the

consequences of those misdeeds. But one need not dwell in lamentation and

self-reproach, rather forgive oneself and eagerly go forward to rectify oneself

and reinstate in one's relationship with God, which will prevent future

downfalls.

 

Focusing too much on one's own self independently may not be the best method to

transform oneself, however. It may serve initially to heal deeply ingrained

negative thought-patterns. What would make a more lasting and sustainable

impact, however, is to cultivate the positive sense of one's identity in loving

relation with the Lord. When we do so, the Lord - being a person -

reciprocates, by completely absolving us of all reactions to past mistakes. The

Supreme Lord's mercy is unlimited - He is always willing to give each of us a

fresh chance, and thus one can happily reinstate oneself in serving Him. By

doing so, all unwanted habits are quickly eradicated and one becomes fully

righteous and peaceful. And when we repose our love in Him, then automatically

we come to love and satisfy everyone else including ourselves - just as when

the fingers work to bring food to the stomach, the fingers are automatically

nourished and energized without separate endeavor to satisfy themselves.

 

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