Regaining My Soul's Desires

I still remember the day when I graduated from college. The vision looks like this, a young woman grabbing a long awaited diploma while her four children were witnessing her hard worked success. That was the first step towards Artha. According to the Vedas, our soul has four desires. Artha represents the desire for the means; money, security, health. Besides being my soul’s desires, at that time, it was my motherly instinct driving me towards it, the desire of providing my children with all they needed. So Artha kept rising; a masters degree follow, then an out masters, and finally an unplanned doctorate. I was able to say that I was doing what I truly loved and the rewards never stopped. I had achieved the so called American dream and my children had what they needed and sometimes more. However, when encapsulated in the Artha desire, as humans, we often forget that life’s magic resides in keeping a balance. I know I forgot and with that came, of course, turmoil and frustration.

It has been a long journey to understand that learning to honor all my soul’s desires is what would allow me to thrive at every level leading me to a fulfilled and balanced life. It has been difficult, living in the midst of a seemingly chaotic world, to follow all of my desires mindfully. I still have to come to an understanding that not all desires bring happiness and that’s precisely the reason why we must always ask first: What desire would better serve my higher purpose at this moment? What desire could truly enrich my life and help me in fulfilling my purpose here? You see, there’s a huge difference between what we desire and what we need. Knowing the difference could change our lives.

Today, take a closer look at your desires. Honor your dharma, the desire to become the person you are meant to be, your Kama; your longing for pleasure and healthy relationships, your Maktha; your desire for spiritual realization and freedom, and your Artha, as you look for the means you need to travel this material world. Find your perfect balance by embracing silence and asking your soul what your true desire is and how it fits into your reality, what you need not what you want. Life is indeed a long journey and one of the best lessons is that there is always a lot more to be learned.