“Extinction of desires is a necessary corollary for purity of mind. The question is whether it is possible for us to continue to live in this world, which means living, doing work, taking up obligations, duties, commitments and what not, at the same time be free of desires. Well, the entire purpose of spirituality is to replace desire with something else, something better and greater.
I always say, as is the body is evolved by nature, so is the mind evolved by nature and the intelligence evolved by nature. Spirituality tells you – employ your intelligence. Just like the scientist observes the external phenomenon let the spiritualist observe the internal phenomenon. Let him find the source of thought; the source of knowledge; the source of activity; the source of experience. The process is very simple and natural. All the activities will continue to be done. But ignorantly, the activities are desire-oriented. Wisely, they become desire-free.
A child goes on eating or playing – I don’t think it has so much of desire. Animals do their work; do they have a desire? But in the case of the man, it is always the desire that motivates him. So, in the place of desire, you should have wisdom as the motivation; enlightenment as the motivation. In our taking food, in our remaining active, in our doing this or that, it is only the harmony of existence; harmony of pure personality and the world surrounding it. It is just like cotton catching fire; or water boiling being contacted with heat or fire. Does the water have any desire to boil?"
I always say, as is the body is evolved by nature, so is the mind evolved by nature and the intelligence evolved by nature. Spirituality tells you – employ your intelligence. Just like the scientist observes the external phenomenon let the spiritualist observe the internal phenomenon. Let him find the source of thought; the source of knowledge; the source of activity; the source of experience. The process is very simple and natural. All the activities will continue to be done. But ignorantly, the activities are desire-oriented. Wisely, they become desire-free.
A child goes on eating or playing – I don’t think it has so much of desire. Animals do their work; do they have a desire? But in the case of the man, it is always the desire that motivates him. So, in the place of desire, you should have wisdom as the motivation; enlightenment as the motivation. In our taking food, in our remaining active, in our doing this or that, it is only the harmony of existence; harmony of pure personality and the world surrounding it. It is just like cotton catching fire; or water boiling being contacted with heat or fire. Does the water have any desire to boil?"
- Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
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