Not All Desires are Life-Affirming

By Keith Sherwood

From the Gospel of Ramakrishna, we learn that “A barber, who was passing under a haunted tree, heard a mysterious voice offer, ‘Will you accept seven jars full of gold?’”

The barber looked around, but could see no one. The offer of seven jars of gold, however, roused his cupidity, and he cried aloud, “Yes, I shall accept the seven jars.”

At once came the …