npl2us Ji, Thank you for the question. In fact you have raised two different questions. Let me answer them differently. First Desire: We have nothing against the word Desire. Desire could be constructive as well as destructive. If you desire for wholesomeness you will get happiness, if you desire unwholesomeness you will get suffering. Example: Uranium is used to build a nuclear bomb and the same uranium is used to generate electricity. Uranium can be used constructively as well as destructively. You can use gun to kill people and you can use the same gun to save people. Gun can be used constructively as well as destructively. Same is true for desire : you can use desire constructively as well as destructively. To get wholesomeness desire alone is not enough. Here is what you have to do get wholesomeness: अनुप्पनानं कुशलानं धम्मानं उप्पादाय छन्दं जनेती, बायमती, बिरियं आरभती, चित्तं पग्गणाती पदहती। (One first desires, then use effort, then strive hard and controls the mind to get wholesomeness.) Here is a successive steps to get wholesomeness: छन्दं जनेती = One Desires Desire is just a first step, its a very weak step. It does not have strength to bring wholesomeness in your life. However, it is a starting step so it is quite important. बायमती = One use effort After desire you use your effort to get wholesomeness. Using effort is second step. Desire is passive but effort is active. This step will lead you closer to the wholesomeness. With effort you achieve great deal of wholesomeness. बिरियं आरभती = One strive hard Third step is stronger then effort. It is striving hard for wholesomeness. It is more dynamic and most effective. This is the step which will help you to achieve the subtlest wholesomeness. चित्तं पग्गणाती पदहती = one controls and leaves the mind depending on necessity. In your life if you desire for something, use your effort to get it, and strive hard to to get it; you will get it. This is science. The same science is true for wholesomeness. Just you are switching the direction. Wholesomeness = The quality of being beneficial and good