i don't think there is such a thing as desire free for the spiritual aspirant.
i think there are things of value to desire... practicing mindfulness and compassion.
the desire to be healthy and beneficial to the planet.
You may be right Eric. It may be important to recognize the limitations of words and language when conveying ideas. i thought i would look up the word to see its actual definition:
de·sire
[dəˈzī(ə)r]
NOUN
a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen:
"a desire to work in the dirt with your bare hands"
synonyms: wish · want · aspiration · fancy · inclination · impulse · [more]
VERB
strongly wish for or want (something):
"he never achieved the status he so desired" · [more]
synonyms: want · wish for · long for · yearn for · crave · hanker after · [more]
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In the sense that we have a strong wish to have something happen, we want, wish, crave or yearn for something.... My experience is that people who are enlightened no longer have such desires. They accept things the way they are while working to make them better. Not saying i have the answers here just comparing our views. If there is desire as you say-to be healthy beneficial to the planet to be compassionate and to practice mindfulness; is there attachment to these desires or the fruit of action leading up to their being fulfilled or not fulfilled? With desire, there is often a satisfaction with fulfilling such desires or on the contrary there is a 'let down' for not having them realized and satisfied. In the consciousness of enlightened beings there is no elation or depression associated with the end results. There is acceptance and appreciation. There is the recognition that everything has happened as it should have. There is a surrender to circumstances and the will of a higher force while at the same time continuing in actions that increase dharma.
For instance i really felt that John Kerry would have been a much better leader for our country and much more beneficial to the planet then George Bush so i supported him being elected. Now when he did not become president how did i feel? Was i attached to the results of my actions? Yes i think so. This shows a lack of spiritual understanding.. a lack of surrender to the results and an attachment to my efforts to support him. i might have also felt elation had he been elected. So u see i have much to work towards in my spiritual development but at least i recognize it. That is a big step forward.