Today I’m picking up a topic that was mentioned recently over on a blog I like.
I sometimes hear people in Buddhist circles talking themselves out of wanting to know the truth… or suggesting it’s somehow wrong to entertain even the possibility of getting enlightenment…Â because of the desire issue.
Maybe this is not a sticking point for most of you, but I have certainly struggled with it.
So the question is:  If desire is the cause of suffering, is the desire for truth a problem? Is the desire to get enlightenment and help all beings a problem?
This is (my paraphrased version of) how my teacher answers these questions:
Desiring truth is like really fiercely wanting to sit in the chair you are sitting in. The desire cannot cause suffering because you are sitting in the chair you’re sitting in.
Desire for truth does not arise in the same (painful) way as desire for things that are not happening. It’s not a problem to want what already is the case. And truth is already the case. It hurts when you argue with the truth, it does not hurt when you want what is true.
Arguing with truth sounds like: ‘I want what I don’t have’ or ‘I don’t want what I have’ or ‘I want things to be different in the future’ or ‘2+2=5’.
While recognizing truth sounds like: ‘I don’t know what needs to happen’ or ‘I want to be exactly where I am, doing this, feeling exactly what I feel’         and… it’s already done.
Truth is…what is revealed when you remove everything that is false. Truth is what you are.
To awaken, you must strive to live in accord with Truth – as much as you can – until you awaken to the fact that you are it.
Wanting what you have is not desire because radical acceptance of what is satisfies desire before it can exist.
-James Wood The Path of Awakening (2007)Â p. 2, 16, 138
Svaha 