"What is lust? It is a desire to get."
"So, desire to get God and strengthen this desire greatly."
"The more you go towards East, the farther away you will be from the west."
"The more you increase your love for God, the more your lust and anger will decrease.”
Additional Explanation:
Sri Ramakrishna's advice to Harinath, who later became Swami Turiyananda, on becoming free from lust is deeply rooted in the spiritual teachings of Hinduism. To understand this fully, let's expand on the quote and its meaning, relate it to other Hindu thoughts and scriptures, and explore its relevance in modern times.
Understanding Ramakrishna’s Teaching
Sri Ramakrishna's response to the question, "How can one become free from lust completely?" is profound in its simplicity and depth:
Channeling Desire: Ramakrishna suggests that one should not attempt to eradicate lust by force but rather transform it. Lust, in his view, is a form of intense desire. Instead of desiring worldly pleasures, one should direct this intense desire towards God or spiritual pursuits. This redirection does not negate the energy of desire but instead elevates and transforms it.
Concept of Redirection: The metaphor of moving towards the East to be farther away from the West illustrates the idea of redirection. Just as moving eastward increases the distance from the west, increasing one's devotion to God naturally diminishes the hold of lust and other lower desires.
Replacement of Lower Desires with Higher Ones: By encouraging a strong desire to know God, Ramakrishna implies that the lower desires (like lust and anger) can be replaced by higher ones (like devotion, love, and a desire for spiritual growth).
Similar Thoughts and Quotes in Hinduism
This teaching aligns with several principles found in Hindu scriptures and the thoughts of various spiritual teachers:
Bhagavad Gita: In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna about managing desires and the mind. In Chapter 2, Verse 62-63, Krishna explains how attachment leads to desire, and desire leads to anger and delusion. To avoid this chain, Krishna suggests controlling the mind and directing it towards higher truths, similar to Ramakrishna's advice.
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: The Yoga Sutras speak of “Pratipaksha Bhavana,” a practice of replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. When thoughts of lust arise, one can replace them with thoughts of divine love or the beauty of the soul, thus redirecting mental energy from lower to higher planes.
Upanishads: The Upanishads talk about the journey of the self from the material to the spiritual. The Katha Upanishad, for example, discusses the importance of turning the senses inward and focusing on the self to achieve liberation, emphasizing a similar redirection of energy.
Ramakrishna’s Own Teachings: Sri Ramakrishna often emphasized bhakti (devotion) as a powerful means to attain God. In his teachings, he compared the passionate love of worldly people for their desires to the intense love and longing a devotee should have for God. By cultivating such divine love, worldly desires naturally diminish.
Modern Day Relevance
The relevance of Sri Ramakrishna's advice in today's world is significant:
Mindful Transformation: In the modern context, where instant gratification and material desires are constantly marketed, Ramakrishna’s idea of transforming lust into a higher desire is akin to mindful transformation. It encourages individuals to be aware of their desires and consciously redirect them toward something more fulfilling and meaningful.
Spiritual Practices in a Fast-Paced World: With the fast pace of modern life, practices like meditation, prayer, and mindfulness can serve as practical methods to channel desires. These practices help in cultivating inner peace, reducing attachment to transient pleasures, and fostering a deeper connection with one's spiritual self.
Mental Health and Well-being: Lust and unchecked desires can lead to mental unrest, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. Redirecting these energies towards spiritual goals can lead to greater emotional stability, a sense of purpose, and inner fulfillment, contributing positively to mental health.
Positive Redirection in Personal Development: Beyond spirituality, the principle of redirecting one's energies can apply to personal development and goal achievement. Focusing one's energy on positive goals (like learning, creativity, or service) can help overcome negative habits or tendencies.
Sri Ramakrishna's advice to "give it a turn in the other direction" serves as a timeless guide for managing desires and emotions. By understanding lust as a form of desire that can be transformed and redirected, one can navigate both spiritual and worldly life with greater balance and purpose. This teaching encourages a shift from external attachments to inner fulfillment, aligning with broader Hindu philosophy and providing practical guidance for a modern seeker.