Violence as Product of Desire

Desire is a permanent feature of this creation, such that it cannot be eliminated. It may be suppressed, suspended, or expressed but it cannot be eradicated. This gives desire the worth for investigation, as to its origin, impulsion, manifestation or frustration.

One feature of it is violence. That is one of its productions. When a desire is frustrated, violence is produced. Its bleeds violence in one way or the other. However it also bleeds violence when it is expressed and the expression is impulsive where it cannot be contained sufficiently by the person.

Desire as we are currently familiar with it, is an impressed force which carries in it, its own way of expression and containment, such that to the person expressing it, it seems to be impulsive and personal. Most desires however are impressed on the person, as for instance the way a branding iron impresses a mark on the back of a bull. The situation of the bull does not allow it to resist the violent heat of the iron. The mark in the animal’s hide cannot be removed by the animal.

Over time, desires which were imbedded in the psyche, surface and command the psyche to act for fulfilments. If the situation is not responsive, there arises a feeling of frustration. This, if not contained, swells into violent acts.

To curb this influence, one should become detached from the desires which are embedded in the psyche. Without thinking that one can eliminate desire, and understanding that one may suspend or de-energize them, one may squelch one or the other desire. Otherwise, one will be compelled by its force to endorse its manifestation. Then, if nature does not facilitate, one will commit violence in the environment. This is unfavorable for yoga practice.