In Buddhist psychology, each desire is an isolated moment of mental activity – a dharma, in the Buddhist’s technical vocabulary – rising up in the mind. It can be ignored, or one can choose to yield to it. If one yields, the next wave of desire will have greater power to compel attention, and the mental agitation it causes will be more intense. On the other hand, if one chooses to defy a strong desire, the pain can be considerable. “Know me to be the power called Thirst,” Trishna demands of the Buddha on the eve of his enlightenment, “and give me my due of worship. Otherwise I will squeeze you
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