What Do We Have In Common — Desire
Part II: The Power Of Desire
Notes on Rod Stryker's The Four Desires: Creating A Life Of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity, and Freedom.
If you're just joining, welcome! This is the second article diving deep into Rod Stryker's book The Four Desires: Creating A Life Of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity, and Freedom. Feel free to check out Part I here or not; it's your life!
“You are who you and what you are because of desire.” — Rod Stryker
Have you ever stopped to think about desire and how influential it has been in your life? Everything we do, everything we believe, all that we are, is founded in desire. Humanity results from an accumulation of human passions, both achieved and failed.
Chapter I: The Power Of Desire
Stryker slaps us with the power of desire from the get-go.
He introduces Dean, a successful broadcast journalist at the peak of his career. After waking up from an emergency back surgery, Dean discovers he will be permanently disabled. This inspirational story tells his struggle to overcome mental and physical pain to fully recover and be a motivating and present father for his son. Through intentional living, practicing yoga, and his driving desire, Dean, achieved the impossible. The realization and relentless pursuit of his passion saved him; the power of an individual desire drives incredible results.
According to Sanskrit, human being's are Kama Yoni; meaning, "the species which has the privilege of performing actions and which thus can change the course of its destiny." The power of desire can transform us into whatever we please if we are willing to make the required sacrifices.
“The important thing is this: to be able, at any moment, to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.” –Charles Du Bos
Stryker describes desire as a power that can be harnessed to achieve our wildest dreams. The very desire to live brought us into this world; you go, little rock-star sperm. At birth, it took the accumulative desire of our mothers and doctors to ensure our safe arrival. Not to mention that we would be nothing without our natural driven yearning to lift our heads, crawl, walk, and learn the language. Desire drives our every action.
“On the physical, as on the intellectual and spiritual plane, all creation, all invention, all imagination is the fruit of desire.” –Madhavacharya
Reflection
If all we are and will be begins with desire, it becomes essential for us to reflect, understand, process, and intentionally interact with our desires. Although we live in a society that discourages mindful and still time, Stryker encourages us to use yoga as a means of practicing this mind and body connection. He wants us to unveil our deepest wants, take the time and energy to slow down, be still, and hear our souls speaking to us.
When I read Charles Du Bos quote about sacrificing who we are for what we could become, I felt a pang of fear.
Fear that stems from knowing he is right.
Fear of the consequences of that sacrifice.
Fear of not knowing how to.
Fear of knowing how to and choosing the opposite.
Fear of failing.
Fear of succeeding.
It's an uncomfortable thought transforming into who you have always wanted to be; all of the "what if" doubts pour into our minds and pollute our thinking. It can make you wonder if you're ready to unlock your full potential. But this fear of sacrificing what we are, the unknown that comes from it, prevents people from pursuing their genuine desires.
These thoughts of self-doubt and fear are all lies. We all deserve to know what we want, and we are all worthy of pursuing that desire. Every individual has the right to turn their wildest dreams into reality.
I am ready; ready to begin this journey of what the heck do I want out of this life. Who do I want to be? What desires align with my heart and soul? I want to feel that burning flame of passion for my dreams.
My hope for this journey is to set aflame all the doubt and fears of the unknown within myself. To define my desires in detail and depth and begin intentionally living for those wants. Life is too short and too rich to ignore our genuine selves any longer. Take the wheel, Rod Stryker.
Next chapter, we dive into fulfillment, what it is, how it correlates with desire, and why we are all deserving of living a fulfilled and happy life. See you there!
