EXPECTATION & DESIRE - HINDRANCE TO PROGRESS -2. : SWAMI BHOOMANANDA TIRTHA

17/04/2019
2.

Any form of desire is wrong. We cannot work on desires. We can only work on needs and necessities. There is a famous proverb that says, "Necessity is the mother of invention". So, is invention following desire or following necessity? Whatever necessity or need you have, if you act upon it, it is perfectly alright. In addition to that, any kind of a desire, which grows into greed and possessiveness, any kind of expectation, which goes on becoming unreal, will only constrict the mind. It will make the mind narrow. Tell me now: Is a narrow mind more effective or a mind that is broad and full-fold?

So, if you want to have a healthy mind, a full-fold mind, a mind that can apply itself, what should you do? Should you keep on desiring? Expectation is not the way. Desire is not the way. Always have an assessment of what is to be done. Try to also arrive at the best means of attainment. And once you are decided on the means, start it, proceed with it and end with the attainment. If and when there is a failure, the causes of failure have to be gone into and safeguards ensured.

Unless you sit in a place and start thinking about your mind – how it becomes healthy and free, and how its application becomes strong and wholesome – this problem of yours will not leave you. In other words, you have to be thoughtful, you have to be introspective, and you have to be evaluative.

To be continued ...