Dangers of Desires

Question 1: I cannot control my desires. If I try to control them, they get only stronger. Why is this so?

Mata Amritanandamayi: Desires are very difficult to control. However, certain restrictions should be observed; otherwise, it is not possible to subdue the mind. Foods like meat, eggs, and fish produce more semen, which increases sexual desires. Then, the senses will act in certain ways to fulfil those desires, and you will lose your energy. Eating Sattvic food in moderate quantities will not cause any harm. Diet control is essential when doing sadhana, especially for people whose minds are not strong, because they are easily affected... (pg. 65, Eternal Wisdom Part 2).

Question 2: What is the way to overcome desires so that we can get closer to God?

Mata Amritanandamayi: The only way is to understand that every object that you desire is riddled with pain. If the desires are not controlled now, later they will control you and eventually they will swallow you. (pg. 127, Awaken, Children Volume 1)

Question 3: What other effective ways are there to control desires?

Mata Amritanandamayi: Desire for anything will not arise when the love for God arises. Attachment to other things will automatically decrease. A person who has intense love for God is like the one who is suffering from fever: feverish person will not feel any appetite for anything at all... At present, control in everything is necessary for you owing to the lack of intense love for God. Because of our addiction to worldly pleasures, we should physically refrain from them in the beginning. Thereby, the tendency of the mind to enjoy them will gradually decrease. Through physical abstinence, the mind can be controlled in due course. A drunkard cannot help drinking while seated in the midst of a hundred bottles of liquor. Therefore, first control physically. (pg. 145, Awaken, Children Volume 1)