You can't ever get everything you want. It is impossible. Luckily, there is another option. You can learn to control your mind, to step outside of the endless cycle of desire and aversion. You can learn not to want what you want, to recognize desires but not be controlled by them.
In "Mindfulness in Plain English," the author Henepola Gunaratana explores the concept that achieving all of our desires is unfeasible. He emphasizes the inevitability of wanting and the struggle that comes with it. Instead of succumbing to this constant cycle of craving and avoidance, Gunaratana suggests that we have the ability to control our minds. This control allows us to step back from our desires and view them with a sense of detachment.
By learning to acknowledge our wants without being dominated by them, we can find a more peaceful approach to life. Gunaratana encourages readers to cultivate mindfulness, which helps in recognizing desires without the need to give in to them. This perspective fosters a greater sense of inner calm and contentment, enabling individuals to live more fully in the present moment without the burden of endless wanting.
