Desire seems like the driving force that motivates people.
People are constantly accompanied by desires—wanting this or that, wishing to do something, aspiring to be a certain way, wanting to go somewhere, or aiming to achieve a specific goal.
That is the self, the ego.
The ego is not a bad thing, as it is the means by which one perceives oneself in this world.
Having an ego is perfectly normal and a natural impulse for humans and animals.
And it is constantly changing.
The objects of desire may change depending on the time, the environment, and even age.
Personal tastes and goals shift fluidly; upon achieving something, one experiences a fleeting sense of relief, accomplishment, happiness, or superiority—but once that momentary emotional peak subsides, one immediately sets out to fill the next void.
Constantly feeling a sense of lack, one experiences intense anger, inner conflict, anxiety, or feelings of inferiority if the object of desire remains out of reach.
There are even those who would trample others—knocking them down—to secure what they crave.
Those consumed by ego-driven desire repeat this cycle until the day they die.
Clashing and competing by pitting one’s own ego against that of others—measuring superiority and inferiority while relentlessly pursuing desires amidst anxiety and inner conflict—this is the nature of "desire born of worldly passions" that so many people experience throughout their lives.
As the title suggests, in addition to desires arising from worldly desires, there is also "desire arising from the soul."
The major difference is...
The desires arising from worldly desires are the ego, and the desires arising from the soul are the true self.
That sublime something—which makes you who you are, creates your very being, and enables you to draw breath this very moment—is the true you.
You inhabit this body and exist right now in order to fulfill your own unique mission.
You are here, in this place and time, to accomplish things that can only be achieved through this specific life.
The desire that naturally arises in pursuit of that noble purpose is a desire of the soul.
Words and actions born of the soul's desires do not accumulate latent impressions of worldly attachments.
Rather, one undergoes a process of self-purification.
Because expressing the voice of the soul and desiring what the soul desires is the true purpose of being born into this life.
Desire born of the soul differs from desire born of worldly passions; it gives rise to no attachment.
This is precisely because one realizes that acquisition and loss, success and failure, and suffering and pleasure are all one and the same.
The appropriate actions occur naturally, and there is a sense of security, satisfaction, and fulfillment anytime, anywhere; this feeling of happiness is universal.
It means that whatever constantly shifts with the times, location, or environment is not one's true nature.
Thus, as long as you do not realize your true nature, you will find no peace.
It is only natural that suffering will persist unless you honor the desires of the soul rather than the desires born of worldly passions.
Because the ego and the true self are in conflict.
And because you are not in harmony with the invisible, sacred flow of the universe.
The difference between desires born of worldly passions and desires born of the soul.
Will you continue along the path of ignorance, endlessly seeking to gratify the senses, or will you walk the path of light that leads to union with true happiness?
As you recall the very source that shaped who you are, the things truly essential to your life will indeed begin to be fulfilled.
