The speaker discusses the importance of understanding what one truly desires in life. They suggest that people often pursue power and control, but when asked what they would do with that power, they realize they don't actually want it. The speaker argues that true happiness and fulfillment come from embracing the present moment and letting go of the need for control.
They also reference the concept of desirelessness, citing the example of Bodhidharma, who said "I don't know" when asked who he was. The speaker suggests that not knowing what one wants can be a state of liberation, and that it's only when we let go of our attachments and desires that we can truly be at peace.
The speaker also touches on the idea that our pursuit of pleasure can ultimately lead to pain and suffering, and that true freedom and power come from embracing our own limitations and vulnerabilities. They conclude by suggesting that the more we let go of our need for control, the more we can tap into the divine energy that flows through us.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker often asks students in vocational guidance what they would like to do if money were no object.
2. Many students respond that they would like to be painters, poets, or writers.
3. The speaker believes that people should do what they really want to do, rather than just doing something for the money.
4. The speaker suggests that if you say getting money is the most important thing, you will spend your life doing things you don't like.
5. The speaker thinks that having a short life that is full of what you like doing is better than a long life spent in a miserable way.
6. The speaker believes that if you really like what you're doing, you can eventually become a master of it and get a good fee for it.
7. The speaker thinks that people want surprises, but they don't know what kind of surprise they want.
8. The speaker believes that pursuing pleasure beyond a certain point can lead to pain.
9. The speaker mentions that the ancient Romans had all kinds of luxuries, but they still wanted more.
10. The speaker references the Buddhist concept of the "Naraka world," which is a state of torture.
11. The speaker thinks that people don't really know what they want because they haven't thought about it deeply enough.
12. The speaker mentions that there is a beginning stage and an ending stage of not knowing what you want.
13. The speaker believes that people don't really know themselves because they are always an endless mystery to themselves.
14. The speaker thinks that letting go of control and not trying to force things is the same as humility.
15. The speaker believes that the more you give away, the more it comes back.