What is the difference between Greed and Desire?

Desire can lead to greed. It is fine to desire something, but to keep going back for more or keep on thinking about it excessively all the time, will eventually lead to greed.

Desire is something that arises from the moment one sees, hears, smells, tastes or touches something that feels good or pleasing to the five senses, and even after one has it, the desire to experience it again and again continues. At times, on hearing how people enjoyed something very much, it could invoke a desire inside us to experience the same.

Besides the desire for the five senses’ objects, there are various other desires too, such as accumulating wealth, earning reputation, marking a good impression, seeking praise, etc. And also, there are noble desires such as the desire to do good, to make a difference in the lives of others or society, to help others feel happy, etc. In whatever area one is interested in, the desire to excel within, or a desire to compete, to be better than others, to be the best in that group, etc. also could arise.

The initial desire is something natural, but when the desire goes over a certain point, this leads to greed which makes one selfish, discontented and mean-minded. Greed is to become perpetually engrossed in anything that becomes dear to you. The desires within one with greed are generally never satisfying and never-ending. Greed is the reason why he finds no satisfaction even after one acquires it. He forgets to enjoy what he already has in life. Rather, the desire to have more and more becomes intense, which makes one restless and takes away his peace of mind. This is when the fire of desire often gets fuelled by negative emotions of envy, jealousy, fear, irritation, desperation, frustration, dissatisfaction, anger, pride, deceit and even more greed. Where there is greed, one can never experience a sense of contentment. Even after he has got what he desired, the craving to still gain more and more of it continues to remain.

A greedy person is preoccupied with his greed from the moment he wakes up until he goes to bed at night. That is called greed. From the moment one wakes up, he is driven by his greed; he does not even stop to relax and enjoy what he already has. He does not have the time to laugh or be with his family. He is consumed with his greed the whole day long. For example, from the moment one enters the supermarket, his greed is there. He knows exactly where the items are expensive and where to find cheap ones. He then heads towards the aisles where cheaper items are located. An overall greedy person exhibits his greed in all areas of his life, greed dominates every aspect of his lifestyle.

Thus, both desire and greed fuel such negative emotions which take away the happiness and contentment from one’s life. So how does one, trapped in desires and greed, experience inner peace and bliss then?

Attain Self-Realisation!

When we realise, ‘I am a pure Soul, an abode of ete
al bliss’, all desires gradually begin to fade out, and they shall soon dissolve. This is because you have tasted the bliss of the Soul. And when desire has dissolved, greed for it can obviously not arise. Therefore, Self-Realization is the ultimate way out!

To red more about 'Greed', visit: https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/self-help/ethics-in-business/what-is-greed/