The desire trap.

Desire is the voice in the head which says, 'if only I had that, then I'd be happy, 'and so desire is always a double edged sword.

If you fulfil your desire you want it next time and if you don't get it you suffer, but if you have an unfulfilled desire, you suffer immediately.

This is why true dhammic peace (awakening) lies outside desire. The mind without desire makes no demands on the world to fulfil it's ego based demands.

Imagine a life where you don't want anything from anyone, where all desire has ended.

The truth is that you can't because before awakening your life is motivated and propelled by selfish desire.

So how do Awakened beings live without desire? This becomes the question, and the answer as with so many true Dhammic teachings is extremely simple.

Awakened beings live only from personal preferences.

If they get what they want they are happy, if they don't get what they want they are still happy because their happiness is not dependent upon fulfilled desire. They can make choices but do not suffer because of the outcome.

This is an important teaching.

In the beginning desire has value, it makes us do the work of practice, but the practice must take us to the desireless state where life is just life and happiness, peace and love reside fully and completely in the heart. There is nothing to get, no manipulation required to feel secure in life and relationships, and no grasping at a transient identity.

The desireless state is the state of true unlimited love for all beings and manifests freely with everything to give and share.

May all beings be happy.