Desire Quote by Ronald Rolheiser
““There is within us a fundamental dis-ease, an unquenchable fire that renders us incapable, in this life, of ever coming to full peace. This desire lies at the center of our lives, in the marrow of our bones, and in the deep recesses of the soul. At the heart of all great literature, poetry, art, philosophy, psychology, and religion lies the naming and analyzing of this desire. Spirituality is, ultimately, about what we do with that desire. What we do with our longings, both in terms of handling the pain and the hope they bring us, that is our spirituality . . . Augustine says: ‘You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.’ Spirituality is about what we do with our unrest.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Restless Heart, Ronald Rolheiser, 2005
Human longing is an innate, restless desire that fuels both suffering and creativity; spirituality involves directing this yearning toward growth and meaning.
In simple terms: Restlessness drives us; spirituality guides it.
Key Takeaway
Channel longing into purposeful action.
Themes
spirituality
longing
restlessness
purpose
growth
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- therapy
- religious practice
- personal development
Key Concepts
Existential psychology
theology
human motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your inner longing inspire?
- How can you transform restlessness into growth?
A Different Perspective
Unrest can become destructive if unchecked.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
