Desire can take many forms. There are frivolous desires that can be fun. We all have these, and in fact, are quite a natural part of the human experience. The focus of the podcast this week is not those desires, but those that are not realistic at all or in some cases destructive, and therefore can warp our feelings. These desires will leave us with deep challenges. Robert discusses that healing here almost always comes through the recognition that the desire is unrealistic or harmful and then being able to make the deep distinction between what results in simple enjoyment and what will create harm to ourselves or others.

Robert sees examples of this often in his practice. The desire is often a substitute for needs because we are not accurately in touch with our needs or how to fulfill them. We are raised in a culture that idealizes youth, sex, success, wealth, and power. These desires when they are in excess are a false substitute because they are not connected to our simple pleasures or our deeper needs. If they were, they would never create harm.

This is an invitation to practice making the distinction between need and desire and how to intervene to find our needs is crucial, not because you should but because it will make your life more naturally enjoyable and fulfilling.

Read the transcription and listen to this episode at Awareness That Heals.