If we can’t decide whether a particular desire is good or bad what should we do?

Answer Podcast

Transcript

This is an AI-generated transcript and may contain some errors.
So, if we have some desires which we are not able to decide whether they are good or bad. So, doing that is it good dharma or bad dharma? But should we do it or not? So, firstly, in Krishna Purana Bhagavad Gita, तस्माच्चास्त्रम् पराणमे कार्या कार्यवस्तु ज्यात्माशास्तिन्दान्मतन् कर्मकर्तु निहारस्तु Therefore, according to Shastra, you know what is to be done and what is not to be done.
कार्या कार्यवस्तु, this is to be done and this is not to be done. So, if we study scripture regularly, then as regular study of scripture helps us to understand, in broad context, this is what should be avoided, this is what should be done. And if we keep studying scripture regularly, then our scripture becomes internalized.
And with that scriptural non-insight, it becomes like our compass. Okay, this is what I should do, this is what I should avoid. That’s how we learn over a long term.
Now specifically, if we have to make some decisions which are major decisions, then we can always consult senior devotees. Okay, this is what I am trying to do. Should I do it or should I not do it? And that way, through study of scripture and through the guidance from senior devotees, we can know what is to be done and what is not to be done.
And over a period of time, some desires will be very strong. So, if they are not directly empty devotional desires, they are not adharmic desires, then we may just be caught in them too. We can fulfill those desires and then we realize.
There is nothing so great about it. So, there is a process in which as long as we don’t give up our dharmic practices, devotional practices, certain desires we may fulfill and through that process we realize. There is nothing to get so excited about.
If you can realize simply by hearing, there is nothing to be so excited about, that’s fine. That doesn’t work. Our focus in bhakti should not be so much on rejecting desire.
Our focus should be on connecting with Krishna. Bhakti is not a process of rejecting desire. It is a process of redirecting desire.
We direct our desire towards Krishna. There are many great bhakti saints. What distinguished the Prabhupada was that he had a great desire.
His desire was to share Krishna’s message all over the world. So, what defined him was not the desires he had given up, what defined him was the desire he had taken up. The desire to share Krishna’s message all over the world.
The same way, in our spiritual life, in general, saying no to something, even if it is bad, saying no is never a joyful process. We feel deprived, saying no, I should not do this, why should I not do it. So, instead it just shifts the focus to what is it that I can say yes to.
So, find out within bhakti, what are the activities that we can connect with, that we feel joyful doing. And we take that up in a committed way. So, the more we have good things to say yes to, then those desires fill our consciousness.
And then the things which we have to say no to, they get crowded out. If we try to empty, empty our mind of desires, it will never work. It is like, say, if I have this glass, I want to remove the air from here.
I have to do something which removes all the air. Very difficult. A little bit, somewhere I keep a lid open, again the air will come.
So, if I want to remove the air, I just fill it to the brim with water. There it will go out. So, like that, we shouldn’t worry too much about giving up desires.
Because giving up desires is like trying to create a vacuum in our consciousness. We could focus more, not on driving out desires, but on crowding out desires. That means we fill our consciousness with positive desires to serve Krishna.
Positive desires to do constructive things in His service. And the more we take up those spiritual desires, then other desires, we will deal with them appropriately. And we won’t feel deprived by doing it.
Because the connection with Krishna will actually fulfill us. Thank you.