The Psychology of Social Desires
Desire is love, written small
but clinging or attachment to social desires
causes disatisfaction, and suffering.
Unconscious social desires and fears
make us neurotic and ineffectual.
They influence our behavior, and feelings.
Craving (for power, position, sex, money, etc.,)
contributes to both the world's problems (aggression, conflict, etc.)
and to internal problems (anger, greed, envy, delusions, etc.)
We unconsciously use fear to keep ourselves in line.
Despite lust in our hearts we seldom rape
and we fear consequences and repercussions.
We condition ourselves to suppress unacceptable desire and to hide fear.
Our conditioning burgeons over the years,
and our desires and fears become unconscious but powerful influences.
Awareness mitigates harmful social desires and fears.
In simply becoming aware,
one's consciousness reclaims suppressed content.
Awareness need not mask, deny or change desires or fears.
We may however modify our behavior if we are aware.
Awareness may even stimulate imagination to get what one wants.
Like prayer, meditation, and mindfulness,
this awareness extends beyond ones imagining ego,
ultimately to one's greater Self.
The Mahajana Buddhist vow
"desires are inexhaustible, I vow to put an end to them",
despite impossibility the intention imbues merit.
Mother Theresa's Prayer on Desire, and Fear
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