Are we sure that what we desire is really good for us?
This question transcends philosophies and religions.
Buddhism states that our sufferings stem from our desires. The common misinterpretation is that in order to get rid of sufferings we should discard all our desires.
But that’s wrong, we should discard our wrong desires, but how do we know?
Indian philosophy introduces the notion of avidya, which distorts our interaction with reality. Avidya has four components: Ego, wrong attractions, unnecessary denials, fear.
Torah explicitly commands us to doublecheck our desires, in Dvarim (Deuteronomy) (21:10-13) we read:
- If you go to war with your enemies, and G-d, your G-d, delivers him into your hand, and you take captives
- And you see a beautiful woman among the captives
- You must bring her into your home, and she must shave her head and let her nails grow
- She must take off the garment and replace it
- She must remain in your house, and she must weep for her father and her mother for a full month
- After that, you may go to her and have marital relations with her, and she will become your wife.
Kabbalah teaches us that wrong desires of our animal soul bring us into the realm of Sitra Achra-The Other Side, the realm of evil.
And , in conclusion, the words of the Sage (Koheles-Ecclesiastes, 13-16):
The wise man has his eyes in his head,
Whereas a fool walks in the darkness.
Enjoy Buddha Blues and check your desires.