Mimetic Desire

Mimetic desire, a concept enunciated by French philosopher Rene Girard, suggests that one desires something because somebody else desires that thing; in other words, the desire of one mimics the desire of the other. This is very true. He extends the logic to suggest that because there is mimicking, there is bound to be a convergence of desires by two persons for the same object leading to discord and conflict. The assumption is that the thing being longed is a material object.

There can, however, be good desires too – the desire for knowledge, to help others, to be a better person. As Jeff Cannon, a self- styled modern American monk, points out, desire is not an enemy to a happy and balanced life; it can be the engine of greater awareness. But if desire is driven by ego or self-importance, it ceases to be good. As the Buddhist doctrine enunciates, attachment to desire is the root cause to all suffering.

So, should one cease desiring? Here is a delicious paradox: one does not have to ‘cease all desires but merely replace one species of desire with another – the desire not to have desires’. One needs to sit back and analyse one’s desires. Answers become self-evident.

As poet-painter William Blake said, those who restrain desire do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained. So, restrain not your desires; channelise them. To paraphrase, the earnestness of your desire to fulfil your desire will determine the distance you are likely to travel.