Neville Goddard on Desire

Executive Summary

Desire is the fundamental starting point for all creation and the primary motivator for all action. It is defined as an awareness of something you lack or need, and it serves as the impetus for using your controlled imagination. The process of creation begins with an intense desire to be transformed. The goal is not to remain in a state of wanting, but to use the desire as a catalyst to enter the state of the wish fulfilled. When you successfully assume the feeling of satisfaction, the initial desire itself fades, signaling that the subconscious mind has been impressed.

Key Concepts

• Desire is the mainspring of all action; no action is taken without a preceding desire.
• All transformation begins with an intense, burning desire to be different.
• A desire is an awareness of something you lack or need to make your life more complete.
• The desires that hold your attention are the ones that impel you to action.
• To realize a desire, you must move from wanting it to assuming the consciousness of already having it.
• When you successfully feel the state of the wish fulfilled, the feeling of desire is replaced by a feeling of satisfaction.

Detailed Explanation

Desire is the foundational impulse behind all human action and the necessary first step in any deliberate change of circumstance. It is described as the mainspring of action, as one cannot even move a finger without a desire to do so. A desire originates from an awareness of something you lack or need. This intense, burning wish to be transformed is the starting point for the "renewing of the mind."

The desires that successfully impel you to action are those that capture and hold your attention. To realize a desire, you must turn away from the objective appearance of your world and focus on the subjective center, which is your own consciousness. The key is to lift yourself up in consciousness to the feeling of the desired state being a natural, present reality. The only way to become or possess what you desire is to assume the consciousness of already being or possessing it.

The creative use of imagination is governed by desire. The practical method involves first determining exactly what you wish to experience. Then, in a relaxed, passive state, you bring to mind the end result of your fulfilled desire. You must mentally abandon yourself to this state, feeling its reality until it seems normal and natural. This imaginal act unites you with the new state of being.

When this union is successfully achieved, a distinct shift occurs within your consciousness. The feeling of satisfaction that comes from having received your wish causes the initial desire to shrink and fade. You lose the impulse to continue the meditative act because, in feeling, you are no longer thirsty for that which you now possess. This loss of desire is the sign that you have successfully impressed the new state upon your mind.

Important Quotes

All transformation begins with an intense, burning desire to be transformed.

— The Power Of Awareness

Desire is the mainspring of action. We could not move a single finger unless we had a desire to move it.

— Out Of This World

Related Concepts

• Imagination: A controlled imagination is governed by desire. You use your imagination to experience your heart's desire by focusing on the end result of the wish fulfilled.
• Consciousness: To realize a desire, you must rise to the level of consciousness you wish to express. Your consciousness is what draws the manifestation of your desire to you.
• Law of Assumption: The primary technique for fulfilling a desire is to assume the consciousness of being or possessing the thing you desire. This is the only way to achieve it.
• I AM: Your awareness of being, or I AM, is the power that can disentangle itself from its current state and assume the new state defined by your desire.

Common Misunderstandings

• Remaining in a state of wanting: The goal is not to perpetually long for something. Desire is the starting point, but the creative act requires you to move from the feeling of wanting to the feeling of having already received it.
• Believing the desire must remain intense: A successful imaginal act actually causes the desire to shrink and fade. When you feel the satisfaction of the wish fulfilled, the longing disappears because, in consciousness, the need has been met.

Practical Applications

To apply this teaching, you must first identify what you truly desire to experience. The next step is to rearrange your thoughts so they travel only toward the fulfillment of that desire. In a relaxed state, use your imagination to construct a scene or a feeling that implies the desire is already a fact. Abandon yourself to this feeling of the wish fulfilled until it feels completely natural. You can repeat this imaginal act until you lose the desire for it, which is the sign that you have successfully accepted the new state as reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first step to changing my life?

The first step is an intense, burning desire to be transformed. All transformation begins with this desire to be different from what you currently are.

What is the purpose of desire?

Desire is the mainspring of all action. It is an awareness of something you need or lack, and it is what impels you to move and to use your imagination creatively.

How do I use my desire to create my reality?

You must assume the consciousness of already having your desire. Be lifted up in consciousness to the naturalness of the thing desired, and you will draw the manifestation to you.

What should happen to my desire after I imagine my wish fulfilled?

If you successfully feel the satisfaction of the new state, the desire itself will shrink and fade. You lose the impulse to continue the act because you feel as though you have already received it.