Page 13 - NAMAH-Apr-2023

Going Beyond Desire and Aversion

James Anderson

Abstract
Sooner rather than later, desire and aversion must be addressed if one is on any path of
growth. In Integral Yoga, they cannot be tackled in isolation, but only within context of the
whole. Desire and aversion are two parts of the same thing. This article is written especially
for those in the process of developing their practice in Integral Yoga. It explores ways of short-
circuiting the onset of desire in the first place. It looks at ways of transforming its vibration the
divine counterpart, which is aspiration.

weapon of the adverse forces. If we choose
to wrestle with it, then what do we have at
our disposal? The very choice indicates a lack.
The soul doesn’t wrestle, only the vital ego,
which lies at the heart of the problem in any
case. It is a problem because it is a state that
ultimately causes intense suffering.

I cannot claim to have conquered it myself
and I don’t believe I’m unique on this. I
have made wrong turnings in my life. I
still find myself painfully burrowing my
We struggle with desire because we fail to way (sometimes painfully) through a dark
find a true place for it. The force demands our tunnel towards the Light. We are all work
understanding. We have to fully understand in progress. We even hear of self-proclaimed
its nature and know where it comes from gurus being exposed while dipping their toes
if we are to direct it to its proper home. It into the mire. For much of society however, it
is a universal force, first of all, so wrestling is barely a struggle at all: most just succumb
with it is not going to get us very far. It is and give their consent. No questions are
everywhere! It is a cosmic force, a favourite asked. It is a fact of life and most just ‘live

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