Michael Laitman, On Quora: “What’s the difference between an emotion and a desire?“

When we realize our desires, then we feel emotions. In other words, the feeling of a desire’s fullness or emptiness is called “emotion,” but it is the same desire. That is, emotion is a phenomenon within the desire.

We are activated by our desires at every moment, and we constantly try to realize the desires surfacing in us.

Desires awaken and grab hold of us, directing us to try and fulfill them, and the way in which we work with our desires depends on our social and environmental influences, i.e. the kind of upbringing and education we receive, and the values of the society we live in.

Were it not for our intellect and our social influences that can guide our intellect to navigate our desires, then our desires would overwhelm us.

It is thus in the balance between the intellect and the emotion, i.e. the extent of the intellectual force that we develop over our desires, that determines the extent to which we can control ourselves and our emotions.

Based on the video “What Is the Difference between Emotion and Desire?” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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