We spend much of our lives seeking the approval of others, not even realising that we are doing so.  When we reach the stage when we are more interested in our own motivations, then we can be objective in our approach to being a witness to our thoughts and desires.

When this happens we are able to analyse the desire and ask if it is going to bring a feeling of pleasure or pain.  Not only that but we will be able to see if it will be beneficial to our well being or not.  So our motivations become very important.  We will no longer let these desires pull us willy nilly, this way and that, creating much confusion and displeasure.  We will have the discrimination to see the way forward with greater clarity.

Written by Durgana and published in  Complete Yoga 2005