Student C: You said that we should control
desire.
SR: Uh-huh.
Student C: And I still don't understand how to go about that.
Desire, in its usual sense, always based on selfish idea. Isn't that so? When you think, you know, “Nothing wrong to extend my desire” and then if someone says you shouldn't
do that, then you will feel bad [laughs]-- you will feel some restriction. That is “control” in its ordinary sense. But when you reflect on your desire and understand your desire as pretty
selfish, then naturally you will limit your desire to some extent.
That is not control. That is the way desire should be. There is big difference.
Do you understand? --------------------------- Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 69-04-08-bn - as found on shunryusuzuki.com. Edited by DC - Going through Suzuki lectures and posting anything that can stand on its own. Not looking for zingers or "the best of." I find that following these excerpts daily provides another way to experience Suzuki's teaching. Got to https://www.instagram.com/cuke_archives/ for more daily Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo.
