The thirsty heart is drinking from the water of life.Basilica di S. Clemente, Rome. 12th cent. Cf.
As the heart panteth after the water brooks,
so panteth my soul after thee, O God
Psalm 42(LXX 41): 1:
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami said something very simular in his book Light of the Bhagavata:
"Material manifestations of things are but shadowy representations of reality. They are compared to mirages in the desert. In the desert there is no water, but the foolish deer runs after illusory water in the desert to quench his thirsty heart. Water is not unreal, but the place where we seek it is misleading. The advancement of materialistic civilization is just like a mirage in the desert. The deer runs after water in the desert with full speed, and the illusion of water moves ahead at the same speed as the foolish deer. Water is not false, but we must not seek it in the desert. A living entity, by his past experience, remembers the real happiness of his original, spiritual existence, but since he has forgotten himself he seeks spiritual or permanent happiness in matter, although this is impossible to achieve."
