Transforming Desire into the Path

Sensual pleasures are like saltwater:

The more you indulge, the more thirst increases.

Abandon at once those things which breed

Clinging attachment—

This is the practice of bodhisattvas.

Running after Sense Pleasure 

This verse applies to our consumerist culture where we are taught that having “more and better” is the cause of happiness. With this view, we are constantly craving something. Our society is hooked on sense pleasure. The media teaches this, and the government tells us that to be good citizens we should consume more because it’s good for the economy. Sense pleasure is supposed to be the path to bliss, and so we chase after it and struggle to get it at all costs. We don’t even realise how much our mind is affected by the consumerist ethic because it is so pervasive. 

Beautiful sights, melodious sounds and music, pleasant odours, delicious food, luxurious tactile objects, a good sex life, a new airconditioner or heater, the latest electronic device—the list goes on and on. We are addicted to sense pleasure, constantly running after it. But like drug addicts, the more we have, the more we need. Although we live in rich countries, we suffer from dissatisfaction and all its ramifications. Remember when you were fresh out of school with no money and you thought having $10 made you feel rich? But as time went on, $10 was insufficient and we wanted $100. Then we need $1000, and after that $10,000. There is a pervasive feeling of poverty, of not having enough. Yet our houses, cars, garages and basements are stuffed with things that we don’t even use. Still, we have a hard time giving things away. Fear haunts us: “If I give it away, I may need it later.” So we hang onto things we do not use. 

The more we have, the more the thirst increases. The more we indulge in sense pleasures, the more we want. One year, we go to vacation in Acapulco, then the next, we have to go to the Bahamas. One partner isn’t enough, so we want another and another. The same goes with cars and material possessions. One isn’t enough, then we need two, then three. There is no end to the story. 

The book Hooked, edited by Stephanie Kaza, discusses our tendency to get hooked by the consumerist ideal. The author of an essay in the book talked about his meditation centre and said, “Many people come to do retreats. In their meditation, they realise how addicted they are to sensual objects. Some of them have enough space during retreat to see that and to take a breather from it, but they don’t necessarily change their lifestyle. And, that’s okay.” I don’t completely agree, because I believe that when the Dharma really touches your heart, you change your lifestyle. It’s not that you have to change your consumption patterns completely, but there should be a shift. In other words, a mental change in view should manifest in different behaviour. 

Genuine Dharma understanding impacts how you live. When we realise that we use such an unfair portion of the world’s resources, when we feel interconnected with other living beings, such understanding will affect what you think about when you get into your car to drive somewhere. Caring about the environment, you will try to car pool or use public transportation. Or when the urge comes to buy something that we don’t really need, you stop and ask yourself, “Do I really need it? Maybe the one I have is okay.” 

When we understand that the more we indulge, the more the thirst increases; when we understand that the more we use an unfair share of the world’s resources, the more we create suffering for others and enemies for ourselves, it is bound to impact our lives. We will feel compelled to change our lifestyle. That doesn’t mean we have to effect a huge change immediately; it may be easier to start with small changes and gradually increase. By doing so, we will know, through our own experience, that simplicity brings more peace of mind. 

I have a reputation in my family. Everyone knows that when I visit, I will look for the recycling bin to use. If there isn’t one in the house, I comment on it. My family members all know that when I go to the supermarket, I bring my own bag instead of asking for a plastic bag.

 There are many small ways to care for our planet and reduce consumption. For instance, I wear the same kind of clothes every day. Some of you may have noticed that, and wish I would change them! (I wear monastic robes.) But, this makes things very easy. We have only one body, but look how much stuff there is in our closet. Do we really need that many pieces of clothing? Do we really need that many pairs of shoes for our two feet? If we were a centipede, having many shoes would be understandable. But we’re just bipeds. Reflect on some examples in your life illustrating that the more you indulge, the more dissatisfied you become. Then with compassion for yourself and for all beings with whom you share this planet, simplify your life.

~Commentary by Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron