The desire
not to create misery
is the desire
that allows misery
to exist in you.
The desire
not to be a disappointment
is the desire that allows you
to feel disappointment.
The desire
to succeed
is the desire
that makes it possible
for you to fail.
It is best
not to have desires,
but even better
not to judge
what is best.
Trail Wood,
12/18
The Paradox of Desire
The exploration of desire reveals a paradoxical nature. The desire not to create misery, paradoxically, becomes the very vessel that harbors misery within us. It’s a cosmic dance where avoidance and attraction whirl in an endless embrace. This reveals a fundamental truth about the nature of desire and its role in shaping our experiences and emotions.
The Cycle of Desire and Disappointment
Similarly, the desire not to be a disappointment intricately weaves the fabric of disappointment itself. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the fear of a negative outcome plants the seeds for that very outcome to manifest. This cycle is a reflection of how our desires, often rooted in avoidance, paradoxically lead us towards the very things we wish to avoid.
The Dual Nature of Success and Failure
The desire to succeed, by its very existence, introduces the possibility of failure. Success and failure are two sides of the same coin, and the pursuit of one inherently acknowledges the potential of the other. This duality is a fundamental aspect of our existence, where every pursuit carries with it the shadow of its opposite.
The Liberation from Desire
The concept of being free from desires offers a path to liberation. In the absence of desire, the dualities of misery and joy, disappointment and satisfaction, success and failure, lose their grip. This state of desirelessness is often seen as an ideal in various philosophical and spiritual traditions, reflecting a state of contentment and acceptance.
The Non-Judgment of What is Best
However, transcending even the liberation from desire is the notion of not judging what is best. This represents a deeper level of acceptance and understanding. It’s a recognition that even our concepts of ‘best’ or ‘ideal’ are themselves rooted in desire and judgment. By relinquishing this judgment, we embrace a state of true openness and acceptance, where all is as it should be, in its most natural form.
Summary
We delve into the paradoxical nature of desire, understanding how desires often lead to the very outcomes they seek to avoid. We recognize the dualities inherent in our desires and the liberation that comes from being free of them. Ultimately, we embrace the notion of not judging what is best, finding peace in acceptance and openness.
Glossarium
Paradoxical Nature of Desire: The phenomenon where desires often lead to contrary outcomes.
Dual Nature: The concept that every aspect has two opposing sides, like success and failure.
Liberation from Desire: The state of being free from desires, leading to inner peace.
Non-Judgment: The practice of not determining what is best, but accepting things as they are.
“To desire is to suffer. To aspire is to be free.” – Unknown
A Free-Verse Poem
In the garden of existence,
Desires bloom like wildflowers,
Each petal a wish, each thorn a fear,
In the cycle of joy and sorrow.
The dance of disappointment,
Woven from the threads of hope,
Where success and failure,
Are but two steps of the same waltz.
Yet, in the silence of desirelessness,
Lies a path, serene and untrodden,
Where the heart beats not in want,
But in the rhythm of acceptance.
Beyond the whispers of the best,
In the realm of non-judgment,
We find the essence of being,
Unfettered, unbound, and free.
We are Space Monkey.
We invite your reflections on this intricate dance of desire and the liberation found in non-judgment and acceptance.
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