Does the Soul Desire?

I find this a rather perplexing question. Ask any metaphysician today and they will most likely tell you that the universe is an illusion.. that the only real thing that exists is the soul or God and that we are the participants on an unending stage of cause and effect.

In the movies, frames are played back 24 times a second with a small pause in between each frame as they are changed out sequentially from one to the next. Of course our eyes do not perceive the small pauses in between due to the high frequency changes. This is, essentially, how the analogy goes.. and so it seems that, backed up by quantum physics the world we live in blinks in and out of existence at such a high frequency that we can’t tell the difference between the observer and the observed.

Reality then, is supposedly only theSoul.. unchanging, undefinable, blissful and so on; the Universe it’s necessary opposite.. existing in movement, definable, filled with suffering etc. The root of suffering seems to be one of the western world’s modern day buzzwords – karma. Karma (cause and effect) defines past, present and future experiences by the deeds commited in every moment of physical existence. This is not bound by the present life but extends through past and present lives as well. In this way it is said that one is responsible for one’s own life (whether they like it or not) and therefore responsible too for the pain or joy it brings to themselves and/or others in the process. The root of karma is desire so that desire -> karma -> suffering.

Desire is inevitable in physical reality. Surely the majority can relate to the desire for sex, wealth and status.. and even those who scorn these are subject to the desires of clothing, food and shelter.. however humble these desires may be they are still desires.. such is its’ nature.. dependance.

On the other hand, all the great sages, seers and teachers of the past pointed to something beneath the surface which held together our very existence.. the Soul.. which can loosely be defined as unchanging, unfathomable, joyful, unborn, undying, formless and so on.. such is its’ nature.. non-dependant and complete. I say loosely because these very sages will tell you that one the best ways to experience the Soul is via meditation. Why? Because the Soul is so incredible it is beyond words, pictures and even the mind and it’s thoughts. It is something to be experienced, or rather, re-experienced.. even now I can’t find accurate words.

Right, so now that we’ve made these distinctions I come full circle (as I so often do!). Perhaps then the Soul is the most amazing bliss we could ever know and possibly even the thing we are all truly searching for.. that non-dependance on other circumstances, that completeness that will never lead to wanting or needing something else for sustenance. But if this is the case then let me pose an interesting question: what purpose does physical life perform given the perfection of the Soul? So I ask again.. does the Soul desire?

2 Responses to “Does the Soul Desire?”

1. Your Reader says:

   January 28, 2009 at 12:29 am

   Good work! Thank you!
   I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my site?
   Of course, I will add backlink?

   Regards, Timur Alhimenkov
2. admin says:

   January 28, 2009 at 9:56 am

   Hi Timur,

   I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Yes you can, as long as you add the backlink.

   -Ryan-

Copyright Ryan Brennan Smith 2008-2009. Custom Powered by  WoRdPrEsS