Desire

I have a confession to make.  I probably write because of my desire to make a difference to my children lives and also to maybe influence others based on my experience of life so far.  My own pursuit of knowledge cannot be used to stoke my ego. The very fact that I desire to influence someone else’s life is crazy and contrary to the understanding that I have of life. 

Life is between two fixed points. Birth and death. Everything else in between is basically preparing one for the other fixed point. We tend to get fixated on the in between and forget that there is the other fixed point which is inevitable. We define our entire existence on the desires we exhibit in between these two points and from a point of view, it could also be considered ok and great; for desire gives birth to purpose and purpose give meaning to life. But then the lack of accomplishment leads to disappointment and grief. There are theological systems that believe in giving up desire so as to not get disappointed; but in the very act of giving up for some end result they forget the hidden desire - its not apparent at all but the act of giving up to ensure that unhappiness is not experienced is itself a desire. It wont matter how you want to skin this particular problem - any way which you can is desire. 

Purpose and meaning to life always exists and it could be devoid of desire; not because of the outcome but rather because the outcome won’t matter. All that matters is the purpose, the act , the drive. One could lead a very meaningful life full of purpose this way. The stoic’s tried to explain it in commentaries by giving examples and so do multiple theological sources. People find it difficult to live without desire; maybe because a majority of us have been conditioned by a risk and reward based system from the very beginning. A tiny tot cries and the parents react in a way to quieten the tot down. You learn, give an exam in the hopes of getting a grade. Risk and Reward everywhere. How then could one have purpose and meaning devoid of desire ? The answer is quite simple in reality; all one needs to do is be present. Stay in the here and now and not look at the future when doing rather do for doings sake.  

To more doing or not doing in the now.

C