https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/1ihduft/how_can_we_achieve_our_goals_without_desire/
created by Mr_Tricks_ on 04/02/2025 at 09:22 UTC
11 upvotes, 11 top-level comments (showing 11)
If Nirava is "Extinction of desire, extinction of hatered and extinction of illusion", then how can we continue to work for our goals. If I want to get good grades in certain exam then it is my desire and I should end this desire. This will make me stop working for anything. What is the solution here?
Comment by Impossible-Bike2598 at 04/02/2025 at 09:36 UTC
18 upvotes, 0 direct replies
In Buddhism, the concept of extinguishing desire often refers to letting go of craving and attachment that lead to suffering. It's about finding a balanced mindset where you're not overly attached to outcomes. You can still have goals and aspirations, like wanting to get good grades, but the key is to pursue them without being overly attached or letting them define your sense of self-worth. Does that make sense?
Comment by Tongman108 at 04/02/2025 at 09:40 UTC
8 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Don't be overly attached to your desires
Meaning you can work hard but if things don't pan out one is not overly attached to the results
You do your best in school, but you get a B+ instead of an A... It's okay
You're the best in the country in your role at a large company , but you get passed up for promotion, it's okay
You make lots of sacrifices for your wife & kids but they are totally ungrateful, it's okay
All you can do is your best, but the outcomes are beyond your control.
Best wishes & great attainments.
šš»šš»šš»
Comment by genivelo at 04/02/2025 at 10:47 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Western presentations of Buddhist teachings have often led to the understanding that suffering arises because of desire, and therefore you shouldnāt desire anything. Whereas in fact the Buddha spoke of two kinds of desire: desire that arises from ignorance and delusion which is called taį¹hÄ ā craving ā and desire that arises from wisdom and intelligence, which is called kusala-chanda, or dhamma-chanda, or most simply chanda. Chanda doesnāt mean this exclusively, but in this particular case Iām using chanda to mean wise and intelligent desire and motivation, and the Buddha stressed that this is absolutely fundamental to any progress on the Eightfold Path.
https://amaravati.org/skilful-desires/
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Attachment, or desire, can be negative and sinful, but it can also be positive. The positive aspect is that which produces pleasure: samsaric pleasure, human pleasureāthe ability to enjoy the world, to see it as beautiful, to have whatever you find attractive.
So you cannot say that all desire is negative and produces only pain. Wrong. You should not think like that. Desire can produce pleasureābut only temporary pleasure. Thatās the distinction. Itās temporary pleasure. And we donāt say that temporal pleasure is always bad, that you should reject it. If you reject temporal pleasure, then whatās left? You havenāt attained eternal happiness yet, so all thatās left is misery.
https://fpmt.org/lama-yeshes-wisdom/you-cannot-say-all-desire-is-negative/
Comment by LoStrigo95 at 04/02/2025 at 10:02 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
By focusing on the process, not the outcome.
You want to achive something. That's fine.
So you act toward that thing.
In this process of acting toward, you also act with kindness and justice, being a good person.
You also know that the ONLY thing that matters is precisely this: being a good person and creating beauty where you go.
Then, it comes the outcome of the action. Was it what you wanted? Is it a different outcome? It doesn't matter. Because in the process you actually became a better person and created beauty.
And now a new action is needed. Maybe you wanted a job and you didn't get it, for example. Look at what you can DO now to achive that goal and repeat those steps.
Comment by waitingundergravity at 04/02/2025 at 10:28 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Nirvana is properly the extinction of *tanha*, which means something like thirst or craving. There are intentions that aren't *tanha* - the Buddha became a teacher because he wanted people to not suffer, and that wasn't *tanha*.
Is your desire to get good grades *tanha?* Quite possibly. Maybe if you were a Buddha you wouldn't care about getting good grades.
Comment by DivineConnection at 04/02/2025 at 09:59 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I have heard a teacher say even enlightened beings have a form of desire - they want others to be happy and free from suffering and work to that end, even that is a kind of desire, you cant attain enlightenment without desire.
Comment by Majestic-Effort-541 at 04/02/2025 at 10:38 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Desire doesn't mean we stop working, but rather, we let go of being attached to the results. We still work hard, but without the fear of failure or obsession with success. Our efforts become more peaceful and purposeful. True satisfaction comes from the process, not just the outcome.
It's not about Goal neither about Journey or Process
It's about the person you become during that Journey
Comment by Airinbox_boxinair at 04/02/2025 at 12:36 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The goal is let go of desire :) source of suffering is ignorance and desire as Buddha says
Comment by Any-Attorney-4093 at 04/02/2025 at 11:56 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
1. All human qualities are good and bad and all are required for functioning of this world. Just don't expect any outcome. This is for normal humans. For normal humans, the world is shade of gray. Black and white mixed.
2. What you are saying is for those who are ready to give their worldy life like jobs, family, friends and get detached.
One can become free on both paths. Choose your path according to your calling. In my religion, both are valid paths however, Number 1 is appreciated because you do your part in running the world. Your actions will forever reverberate in this field of karma.
PS. I am not a buddhist and also not from west. The question appeared in my feed and thought of giving my perspective.
Comment by normalguy156 at 04/02/2025 at 09:29 UTC
0 upvotes, 1 direct replies
If you stop wanting everything, would you do nothing?
Comment by Ariyas108 at 04/02/2025 at 11:46 UTC
0 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There isnāt a solution thatās needed to begin with since youāre not going to be putting an end to desires to begin with. Not unless you actually want to and put in the practice required, which most likely will take multiple lifetimes. Most people who actually do want that become monks which means they donāt have go to school to try to make money in a good job, etc. etc.