Keen on Yoga Podcast Ep 264 Mark Epstein – The Role of Desire in Buddhism

Adam interviews Mark Epstein, a psychiatrist and author, discussing the complex nature of desire from both a Buddhist and psychotherapeutic perspective. They explore how desire is often misunderstood as an obstacle, when in fact it can serve as a vehicle for spiritual growth and understanding. The conversation delves into the importance of recognizing and embracing desire rather than suppressing it, the role of the ego, and the lessons learned from personal experiences and stories, including the Ramayana and the parable of the strawberry. Buy the Book: Open to Desire – The Truth About What The Buddha Taught Support the Podcast: Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf Mark Shares • Desire is not inherently negative; it's often our perception of it that limits us. • Suppressing desire can lead to greater dissatisfaction and emotional issues. • Desire can be a pathway to spiritual growth and understanding. • The ego plays a crucial role in our awareness and spiritual practice. • Meditation helps us to understand and transform our desires. • The middle path involves finding a balance between indulgence and suppression of desires. • Personal anecdotes can illustrate the complexities of desire and satisfaction. • Understanding the nature of desire can lead to greater empathy and connection with others. • The Ramayana serves as a metaphor for the journey of desire and its true purpose. • Self-awareness is key to transforming our relationship with desire. Find Mark Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/markepstein108/ Website: www.markepsteinmd.com Keen on Yoga Website: http://www.keenonyoga.com/ Instagram: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mark Epstein 01:01 Desire: A Different Perspective 05:55 Desire as a Vehicle for Growth 11:55 The Nature of Desire and Suffering 18:04 Personal Anecdotes and Lessons Learned 24:06 Empathy and the Objectification of Desire 30:46 Exploring Desire and Unsatisfactoriness 33:42 The Middle Path: Balancing Indulgence and Suppression 36:09 Understanding Desire: The Role of Self and Shame 37:12 The Ramayana: A Story of Desire and Purpose 40:37 The Strawberry Parable: Appreciating Desire 43:43 The Ego: Our Greatest Obstacle and Hope