Karma + desire

[pat19989]

How do you think about the concepts of karma and desire when you put them together?

The ideas of suffering, karma, and desire (or ‘wanting’) have been on my mind lately. For some reason the phrase “to want is to suffer” has been floating around up there too. I don’t even remember hearing that phrase anywhere. Anyways.....


Is it that desire accrues karma? 

So, if you want something (or nothing), you will inevitably be disappointed, and therefore suffer? Simply because change is inevitable? 

Additionally, can one accrue karma without suffering? I’m thinking an individual who is wearing “chains of gold”, one who has accrued a lot of positive karma particularly.  

Thanks all hope is well with you folks ❤️

Wow, a lot of great input to a very interesting concept. Buddhism is ultimately what started me on my spiritual journey so I'll chip in, although I will likely just restate what others have already expressed.

I believe the statement "desire accrues karma" is pretty accurate. Desire keeps us in the loop of 'samsara,' the loop of incarnation, desire, and suffering that is the ego's entire existence.

Meditation, acceptance, and presence of mind are the gates of escape from this loop. I believe the concept of "positive" vs. "negative" karma to be a westernized abstraction. I view karma as more of an energy field, like a tub of water. Associating with the ego and its desires is like splashing up and down in the tub creating waves that take time to settle out. When we meditate or are in a general state of self-acceptance we raise ourselves out of the tub and do not create any waves therefore allowing the water to settle until we dip back into modes of desire and ego-association.

As to if one can accrue karma without suffering, I think it depends on your definition of suffering. If that person with 'chains of gold' is obsessing over the good fortune or neglecting others due to the newfound wealth, even if it may feel "good" to him, I do believe karma is being accrued because the association with possessions and earthly "wealth" is being valued above love for one's spirit and all creation. I would extend my definition of suffering in this case to any feeling, "good" or "bad," that is not rooted in truth/acceptance/faith whatever you'd like to call that ground that is our most real existence.