Craving is a natural phenomenon. In fact, even the most fortunate among us find ourselves stumbling into craving now and then. This can be craving for more of what we already have and enjoy, such as money, food, attention, praise. It may also be craving for what we don’t have, like a bigger paycheck, newer car, or the excitement of a new partner.

Craving comes and goes in waves. Sometimes we manage it just fine. We experience a pang of desire, we eat the cupcake, and we move on. But other times, and for some of us a lot of the time, it's not so simple. If we don't eat the treat or buy the shoes, we fixate on them. Or, we allow ourselves a treat and find that our indulgence only begets more cravings. Over time, we begin to have compulsive, intrusive thoughts and engage in unskillful behaviors. This can be distracting and costly. For example, we might overspend,........

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