The desires we chase over time become the demons that chase us

A strange psychological reversal often occurs within us as we navigate the workings of our mind. At times, we feel relentlessly pursued by what seem like inner demons—wild cravings or compulsions we cannot resist, no matter how hard we try. But where do these demons come from?

Shockingly, these inner demons are not invaders from some external evil. They are creations of our own repeated indulgence. Let’s break this down.

Every desire begins as a fleeting thought, something that pops into our mind and catches our attention. When we start chasing that desire—pursuing the object we find appealing, grabbing every opportunity to indulge in it, and eventually actively seeking those opportunities—the desire grows stronger. What begins as harmless enjoyment, like eating a favorite delicacy or scrolling through social media during spare moments, can escalate over time. The urge becomes a compulsion.

Each time we entertain and act on a desire, we create impressions in our subconscious mind. These impressions grow stronger with repetition, becoming dominant forces that seem to have a life of their own. What once felt like a choice now feels like a demand. This is when desires transform into inner demons.

The Bhagavad Gita (2.62) warns us about this chain reaction: contemplation on a tempting object leads to infatuation, then captivation, delusion, loss of memory, and ultimately self-destruction. This process highlights how something casual or seemingly inconsequential can spiral into destructive patterns over time.

To prevent such a trajectory, we need to become more mindful of the thoughts and desires we entertain. By being vigilant, we can stop unwittingly creating the demons that make life unbearable.

But what if such demons already haunt us? It’s never too late to fight back. Just as bad habits and unhealthy desires create negative impressions, healthy habits and constructive thoughts can form positive impressions—our inner angels. These angels can counteract and eventually overpower the demons.

When we engage in devotional practices like remembering and serving Krishna, we cultivate powerful, purifying impressions that protect us. These impressions, imbued with divine energy, can transform our inner world and bring us peace.

Summary:

  • Repeated indulgence in desires creates strong impressions that grow into inner demons, tormenting us and compelling us to act destructively.
  • Recognizing that thoughts and desires are not casual or inconsequential can help us remain vigilant and prevent the creation of inner demons.
  • If we are already struggling with such demons, cultivating healthy habits and engaging in spiritual practices can create positive impressions (inner angels) to counter them.

Think it over:

  • Reflect on where your inner demons come from.
  • Trace the process through which you may have unwittingly participated in the creation of one such demon.
  • Identify a healthy habit you can cultivate as an inner angel to counteract the negative impressions formed by an unhealthy habit.

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02.62 While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.