UPBUILDING THE SELF

Under the Influence of Lust

Promotions. Travel experiences. Schools for our kids. Cars. Food. Other people.

Our lives are full of lust. And this lust is preventing us from being who we really are. Starting with this powerful realization and from the ideas present in the Bhagavad-Gita, Hari Prasada, Rasanath, and Michael help us peel back the layers of our desires. They guide us through the maze of our selfish tendencies and illuminate the ways in which our lustful impulses affect our lives. They discuss personal examples, including what happens when we attend networking events and how we objectify others just by looking at them. They close the discussion with practical takeaways to have a healthier relationship with our desires.

Podcast Hosts: Michael, Hari Prasada, and Rasanath

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform

Highlights

  • [1:40] The inspiration for this topic, The Call to Awaken

  • [3:10] What is lust?

  • [5:30] The relationship between lust and objectification

  • [6:40] Jean-Paul Sartre’s term “The Look”

  • [8:00] Networking events and why they make us uncomfortable

  • [13:00] Sex symbols

  • [15:00] Madonna’s realization about a “substitute for love”

  • [16:00] What’s the problem with lusting after things?

  • [20:30] Luxury cars

  • [24:00] How can I achieve my goals without selfish desires?

  • [27:30] Lust is never satiated

  • [33:00] What are the first steps to become less lusty

  • [41:30] Recap and final thoughts

Quotes

  • “Lust is selfish desire [...] that comes from the identity of who we think we should be, rather than who we are.” -Hari Prasada

  • “Even when I become the object [objectify myself], I’m still objectifying others because I’m objectifying others to make them desire me.” -Michael

  • “The way you treat something is the way you treat everything.” -Hari Prasada

  • “The value of things is actually for the exchange of love. It’s not for the things themselves.” -Rasanath

  • “It takes honesty to be able to distinguish what I am really after.” -Rasanath

  • “When we are run by lust, the mind is always busy and I don’t get peace.” -Hari Prasada

For first timers, welcome to Upbuilding the Self

About the podcast: Two former monks, a former startup founder and CEO, and a former equity derivatives trader dive into how to be our best selves, free from the ego. Our egos are the identities we create for ourselves and wish the world to validate, but when we are not seen as we want to be, we feel insecure. This podcast lives at the intersection of leadership and spirituality. It will help you understand your ego and shed light on your inner world so that you can act with greater clarity, compassion, and the freedom to be your best self.

We also have three upcoming programs. Please reserve your spot ASAP.