On attraction

14th March 2007
The reality as I see it: VI: On attraction

Attraction is the power of pull between two objects, similarly made with the matter intrinsically same and positioned at a distance. Due to the inherently same structure, they exert pull to come closer - like the gravitational pull of the earth to the objects. The closer the objects, more intense the attraction.

Although attraction is felt between all objects similarly made, it is most intense when manifesting between two opposite poles. Consider the example of the magnets: magnet attracts all objects, which are ferrous in structure. But the strength of the magnetic pull becomes manifold between opposite poles of two magnets.

In cosmos, attraction between the opposites is the source of all movement. Call it Shiva and Shakti – the pull between objects is the cause of all movement, all creation. Without attraction, there would have been only inertia. Because of the intense attraction between the ‘source’ and the ‘destination’, we have particles flowing from one end to the other, making the journey of life. Clearly, there would have been no life without attraction between the opposites.

The source of attraction is therefore cosmic and inherently divine. The pull of attraction between a male and female symbolises the pull between the ‘source’ and the ‘destination’. The attraction that creates the cosmic system, the attraction that draws a butter-fly to a flower, the attraction that creates orbits of the celestial bodies, the attraction that comes by nature, the attraction that occurs naturally - can that be shameful? Can that be wrong, irrespective of what the ‘man-made’ laws and rules say?

On desire

Desire is the result of an inadequate response to a physical or physiological challenge. The desire by definition has a purely bodily origin. Desire is the urge to possess, urge to internalise and an urge to satisfy body craving. Desire expresses the demand of the body on the system (remember the concept of the Body-Spirit Continuum?). The desire to drink water, the desire to eat, the desire to possess something, the desire to have sex – they are all expressions of the body element within us.

Desire is therefore not attraction. They are different. Both have different origins. Attraction arises out of the cosmic force, therefore from the ‘spirit’. Desire arises from the body, therefore from the ‘body’. Desire disappears when it is satiated (till the body demands for it again). Attraction can never be satiated. We all feel the attraction to our mother who takes care of us, brings us up and we genuinely love her, right? When you are hungry, she makes food and feeds you. Because the food is tasty, we do not go on eating. After the hunger disappears, we stop. We stop eating when the desire to eat ceases. But we do not stop loving the mother.

Desires cause disturbance, they represent a conflict, they contain an agitation within. Desire is therefore inherently energy-consuming. If there is limited electricity, we use the lights and electric appliances sparingly, right? We are told to switch off all lights when not needed. We decide which electrical appliances to operate and for what length of time. There is an element of decision and application of discretion. In the body energy system also, there are limited resources, while the demands on it (the desires) are unlimited. We should be able to decide which desire to give power to and which to reject. Then we put the cosmic power to optimal use.

Sounds simple, but in practice, it is not. When the desire arises, it overpowers the system. It arm-twists all faculties, uses all strategies until it is satisfied. It hits like a tsunami. So how do we stay in control? How do we cope with tsunamis?

First is to recognise that they exist and they could be inherently powerful. Denying the existence of a tsunami makes you more liable for damage when it strikes. Similarly, desire cannot be eliminated. The desire to ‘overcome all desire’ is itself a powerful desire!
Second is to have an early warning system, which warns you in advance before the desire become more intense. So you take steps that would restrict damage.
Third is to monitor the movement of the desire. When you observe dispassionately and clinically, you can take better decisions.
Fourth is to distance oneself to the desire – to tell yourself that the desire arose out of the ‘body’ that is not ‘you’.
Fifth is to take steps for fortification of ourselves. If you know that a visit to a market would kindle desire to buy things unwanted, avoid that market. If we know that the coast is prone to tsunamis, we stop construction of villages on the coastline.

Desires cannot be eliminated, but can be contained with ardent practice and diligence.

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