--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If it weren't for desire, the formless…" description: "\"If it weren't for desire, the formless would not have come into form and engage creatively.\" — Tara Brach" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcb/tara-brach-1898_desire_if-it-weren-t-for-desire-the-formless-wo_2267541.png" --- # If it weren't for desire, the formless would not have come… ![“If it weren't for desire, the formless would not have come into form and engage creatively.” quote by Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcb/tara-brach-1898_desire_if-it-weren-t-for-desire-the-formless-wo_2267541.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcb/tara-brach-1898_desire_if-it-weren-t-for-desire-the-formless-wo_2267541.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcb/tara-brach-1898_desire_if-it-weren-t-for-desire-the-formless-wo_2267541.png) > “If it weren't for desire, the formless would not have come into form and engage creatively.” [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Desire fuels form; without longing, creation cannot emerge. **In simple terms:** Desire sparks creation. Key Takeaway Channel desire into mindful creation. Themes desire creation mindfulness Mood contemplative insightful Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - artistic projects - personal goals - spiritual practice Key Concepts Buddhist psychology creative process Questions to Reflect On - What desires drive your creative work? - How can you balance desire with detachment? A Different Perspective Desire can also cause attachment and suffering. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desire Formless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-formless-5242172/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Formless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/formless/) [Formless Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/formless-come-5242174/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Weren Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weren-desire-5242173/) ## Related quotes > [“Everything we perceive to be solid and static is made up of almost entirely empty space.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/everything-we-perceive-to-be-solid-and-static-is-made-up-of-almost/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [“According to Zen Buddhists, all things have their existence in The Void. The Void is that which is no-thing, but contains all things within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/according-to-zen-buddhists-all-things-have-their-existence-in-the/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [It is through the imagination that the formless takes form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-ponder/it-is-through-the-imagination-that-the-formless-takes-form/) [Catherine Ponder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-ponder/) > [Form and formless are intertwined in this world. The formless can only be expressed in form and form can only be thought with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/form-and-formless-are-intertwined-in-this-world-the-formless-can-only/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [In nature alone are forms. That which is not of nature cannot have any forms, fine or gross. 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Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [“All art begins with a groping after form, then attains form, and then emancipates itself from too great insistence upon rigidity of form without,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustav-kobb/all-art-begins-with-a-groping-after-form-then-attains-form-and-then/) [Gustav Kobbé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustav-kobb/) > [“We are only able to disrespect, mistreat, and harm one another when we forget that the other person is us; when we only see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/we-are-only-able-to-disrespect-mistreat-and-harm-one-another-when-we/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) ## More by Tara Brach > [It is natural that our minds replay old stories, because that is our own mechanism for trying to work out unresolved problems. Yet rerunning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/it-is-natural-that-our-minds-replay-old-stories-because-that-is-our/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [The great gift of a spiritual path is coming to trust that you can find a way to true refuge. You realize that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/the-great-gift-of-a-spiritual-path-is-coming-to-trust-that-you-can/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Sometimes the easiest way to appreciate ourselves is by looking through the eyes of someone who loves us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/sometimes-the-easiest-way-to-appreciate-ourselves-is-by-looking/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [By taking the time to explore charged memories in therapy we might uncover feelings that have been buried for decades.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/by-taking-the-time-to-explore-charged-memories-in-therapy-we-might/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [To me, bringing mindfulness-bas ed practices to students, teachers and parents is some of the most important work we can be doing. If we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/to-me-bringing-mindfulness-bas-ed-practices-to-students-teachers-and/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [The mistake we make is that when we're feeling another person is not treating us in the way that makes us feel secure and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/the-mistake-we-make-is-that-when-we-re-feeling-another-person-is-not/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Emotions are the interaction of thoughts and of sensations in the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/emotions-are-the-interaction-of-thoughts-and-of-sensations-in-the-body/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Our attitude in the face of life's challenges determines our suffering or our freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/our-attitude-in-the-face-of-life-s-challenges-determines-our/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Become a witness to your thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/become-a-witness-to-your-thoughts/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [My prayer became 'May I find peace... May I love this life no matter what.' I was seeking an inner refuge, an experience of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/my-prayer-became-may-i-find-peace-may-i-love-this-life-no-matter-what/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [When we see the secret beauty of anyone, including ourselves, we see past our judgment and fear into the core of who we truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/when-we-see-the-secret-beauty-of-anyone-including-ourselves-we-see/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [I think it's possible to have experiences of love without attachment, but I think part of our conditioning is to grasp at times, especially…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/i-think-it-s-possible-to-have-experiences-of-love-without-attachment/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [But this revolutionary act of treating ourselves tenderly can begin to undo the aversive messages of a lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/but-this-revolutionary-act-of-treating-ourselves-tenderly-can-begin/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Stories about ourselves and about the world continually arise in our minds and shape our beliefs about reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/stories-about-ourselves-and-about-the-world-continually-arise-in-our/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Discovering a richer quality of being-ness means to keep surrendering and letting go of resistance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/discovering-a-richer-quality-of-being-ness-means-to-keep-surrendering/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) [Explore all 200 Tara Brach quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) ## More Desire quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [Passion is what you need to be good, an unforgiving passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-easton/passion-is-what-you-need-to-be-good-an-unforgiving-passion/) [David Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-easton/) > [I want the municipality to be a helping hand to the man with a desire of sympathy, to help the fallen when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burns/i-want-the-municipality-to-be-a-helping-hand-to-the-man-with-a-desire/) [John Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burns/) > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“THE ESSENCE OF YOUR DESIRE IS A FEELING”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/the-essence-of-your-desire-is-a-feeling/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [On the brink of being satiated, desire still appears infinite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rostand/on-the-brink-of-being-satiated-desire-still-appears-infinite/) [Jean Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rostand/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-deepest-urge-in-human-nature-is-the-desire-to-be-important/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/now-i-am-in-the-place-i-call-this-wide-wide-heaven-because-it/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) [Browse all 15,155 Desire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If it weren't for desire, the formless would not have come into form and engage creatively.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tara Brach" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/if-it-weren-t-for-desire-the-formless-would-not-have-come-into-form/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Desire" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/if-it-weren-t-for-desire-the-formless-would-not-have-come-into-form/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcb/tara-brach-1898_desire_if-it-weren-t-for-desire-the-formless-wo_2267541.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcb/tara-brach-1898_desire_if-it-weren-t-for-desire-the-formless-wo_2267541.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcb/tara-brach-1898_desire_if-it-weren-t-for-desire-the-formless-wo_2267541.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If it weren't for desire, the formless would not have come into form and engage creatively.” — Tara Brach", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tara Brach", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If it weren't for desire, the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/if-it-weren-t-for-desire-the-formless-would-not-have-come-into-form/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/if-it-weren-t-for-desire-the-formless-would-not-have-come-into-form/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```