Desire and its effect on discontent?

in the literature of Buddhism, there are wholesome action and unwholesome action.

Desire as unwholesome action leads to misery.

Desire as wholesome action leads to freedom from misery.

Unwholesome desires are the desire in wrong view - i.e. attachment and desire for material things and nonmaterial things.

Wholesome desires exist as well. To desire for freedom is wholesome. This desire will lead you toward the gate. At the gate, you let go of this desire as you escape. On the other side of the gate, you lose this desire spontaneously.

the Effort for freeing oneself from all fetters require strong desire for freedom. This desire is wholesome as freedom is the desired goal.

the Ten Fetters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetter_(Buddhism)

http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/buddha-teachings...

the desire to pass the exam somehow and the desire to pass the exam without cheating are different.

The desire to pass the sufferings and achieve freedom is different - and wholesome.

If desire means worldly desire for fulfillment of material wants , which is mostly the case , then whatever you said is correct.

And the opposite is also true , the path to happiness is abandonment of worldly desires .

Desire can also lead to progress - to achievement. - to happiness.

What I mean is, it all depends on the nature of the desire, and what you do with it - as a general rule.

I agree. It seems like every time I start letting the "wants" outweigh the "needs", everything spins out of control and I end up unhappy. I think it's a matter of balance. Get the needs met, maybe *some* of the wants, and let the rest go :D

Desire often leads to *fulfillment* too.

What sort of a miserable life have you been leading?

1 Timothy 6

1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

James 1

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Luke 12

13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.