Lust

Buddhists have their “three poisons”; Christians have their “seven deadly sins.” Lust makes both lists, along with anger. But lust is the one that furrows men’s brows and crosses their legs. Our culture assumes that lust is all about the genitals. Yes, lust does involve a preoccupation with sexual pleasure, but it actually infests the entire being, as all sins do. The 16^th century author of “The Cloud of Unknowing” writes that lust-driven men have been “seduced by an inordinate love of giving or receiving flattery and by a deep-seated need to be liked.”  

Death wish

A scorpion asks a frog to ferry it across a river on the frog’s back. The frog hesitates, afraid of being stung, but the scorpion argues that if he did that, they would both drown. Thus persuaded, the frog agrees. Midway across the river, the scorpion stings the frog. “Why did you do that?” the frog asked. “It’s my nature,” replied the scorpion.”

This is how ego operates. It seems to make sense. But it loves death.

Body parts

The more fearful a man is, the more identified he is with his body. As he sees himself, so he sees everyone else. Often, he fixates on certain parts of the body. It happens that body parts meet, marry and say: “You complete me.” This is partly true.