Can you hold your desire without needing to fulfill it?
Desires are feelings of wanting something that is absent from one's life. They can be strong or mild, conscious or subconscious, physical or emotional. Desires can be healthy or unhealthy, good or bad, positive or negative. When one desires something, they want to have it for themselves. But can desires be controlled? Can someone control their desires and not satisfy them? Or do all desires need to be met? Let's explore this question further.
When it comes to controlling desires, some people believe that it is possible. The idea behind this belief is that desires are like thoughts; they come and go and can be controlled through mindfulness and meditation. For example, if someone has a craving for chocolate cake but knows it is unhealthy, they may choose not to give into their desire and instead focus on other things that bring them joy. Others might argue that it is more difficult than just "controlling" their desires because certain desires could be linked to deep-rooted psychological issues. Someone who suffers from an eating disorder might feel compelled to act upon every desire related to food regardless of its consequences. In these cases, professional help may be needed to overcome such urges.
On the other hand, many would suggest that desires should always be satisfied when possible. After all, human nature dictates that humans seek pleasure and avoid pain. This means that fulfilling our desires brings us happiness while suppressing them causes suffering. However, there are also dangers in satisfying every desire without restraint. For instance, if someone constantly indulges in junk food despite knowing its harmful effects on health, then that behavior could lead to serious illnesses down the line. Additionally, satisfying every desire could result in addictions or excessive spending which could negatively impact one's finances and relationships with others.
Ultimately, how we approach our desires depends on personal preference and circumstances. There isn't a single answer as to whether or not we should hold onto our desires until they are met or learn to live without them altogether. What matters most is finding balance between meeting some needs while still practicing self-control over others. It takes effort and discipline but can pay off in improved mental wellbeing and overall quality of life.