What is the relationship between love and desire?
Synthesized from Source
definition
"Desire is the smoke that clouds love; when it dissipates, love transforms into a smokeless flame of pure gratitude and devotion."
According to Osho, desire is the 'smoke' that clouds love: the wetter the wood (egoic wants, ambitions), the more smoke. In ordinary relationships, especially erotic love, desire dominates; in parental love it lessens; in reverence it thins. When desire drops to zero, love becomes devotion or meditation: a smokeless flame, pure gratitude without asking. Thus, love matures as desire dissolves.
Love is like fire and desire is its smoke—the less you want, the clearer and warmer the love.
Why this matters practically
- Helps shift relationships from bargaining and expectation to gratitude.
- Reduces ego-driven attachment and disappointment.
- Offers a path: notice desire, relax it, and let love refine into devotion or meditation.
- Reduces ego-driven attachment and disappointment.
- Offers a path: notice desire, relax it, and let love refine into devotion or meditation.
AI Confidence Score: 97%
Read Original Discourse →