I Have What You Need

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Hand-drawn art by Rupali Bhuva
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Tengo lo que necesitas
--By Sharon Salzberg


En la sección de la ciudad antigua de Jerusalén, hay un maravilloso mercado de puestos al aire libre. Es un lugar repleto de vida: un diluvio de vistas, sonidos y bienes a la venta. Cuando estaba enseñando en Israel una vez, un@s amig@s y yo fuimos allí. Mientras caminábamos por un callejón, uno de los comerciantes me llamó: "¡Tengo lo que necesitas!" Sentí que la emoción me atravesaba todo el cuerpo. "Vaya, tiene lo que necesito". Me detuve, me di la vuelta y empecé a caminar hacia él. Entonces pensé: "Espera un minuto. En primer lugar, no necesito nada, y en segundo, ¿Cómo va a saber él que tiene lo que yo necesito?"

En muchos sentidos, el mundo nos está llamando todo el tiempo: "¡Tengo lo que necesitas! ¡Tengo lo que necesitas!" En respuesta, internalizamos esas voces en: "Necesito. Necesito algo. Estoy en un estado de déficit, de privación". Es como si nos convirtiéramos en algún tipo de personaje de dibujos animados, con nuestros ojos saliendo de nuestras cabezas como si tuvieran resortes. "¿Dónde está? ¿Dónde está esto que necesito?" Nuestros brazos se estiran, extendiéndose. Los dedos se flexionan, tratando de agarrar y aferrarse a un objeto u otro. Nuestras cabezas se fijan rígidamente en la dirección del objeto del deseo, para no perderlo. Nuestros cuerpos se inclinan hacia adelante con anticipación. ¡Qué revoltijo tan incómodo!

Y sin embargo, llegamos una y otra vez, creyendo en las voces. Este movimiento, esta constante extensión, se siente como estrés en el cuerpo y en la mente. "Tengo lo que necesitas", nos dice la voz. "Tú no tienes lo que necesitas. Yo tengo lo que necesitas". Pero, ¿qué es lo que realmente necesitamos?

Es cierto que todos los seres quieren ser felices. Queremos sentirnos como en casa en nuestras propias vidas. Queremos sentirnos una parte de algo más grande que nuestro sentido limitado de quiénes somos. Necesitamos un sentimiento interno de abundancia, para poder dar a los demás. Necesitamos el conocimiento satisfactorio de nuestra conexión con todo lo que vive, para amar a los demás. Pero en nuestro hábito de acercarnos a otr@s para satisfacer nuestras necesidades, se nos escapa dónde se encuentra nuestra más profunda satisfacción. Un texto tibetano lo expresa así: "Debajo de la casa del mendigo hay tesoros inagotables, pero el indigente nunca se da cuenta de esto, y los tesoros nunca dicen:" Estoy aquí ". Del mismo modo, el tesoro de nuestra naturaleza original, que es naturalmente pura, está atrapado en la mente ordinaria, y los seres sufrimos en la pobreza.”

Todas esas voces nos alejan de saber que ya tenemos lo que necesitamos. Cuando practicamos la meditación, descubrimos el tesoro de nuestra naturaleza original. Aprendemos a dejar ir esa cacofonía de voces que nos gritan sobre nuestra aparente pobreza. Aprendemos a no quedar atrapados en tratar de alcanzar y agarrarnos a cosas que nunca hemos necesitado para empezar.

Cuando practicamos la meditación, vemos que podemos quitarnos las cargas que hemos llevado durante tanto tiempo. El poeta Rumi dice: "¿Cuánto tiempo llenaremos nuestros bolsillos como niños con tierra y piedras? Deja que el mundo vaya. Sosteniéndolo, nunca nos conocemos, nunca estamos en el aire". Cuando practicamos la meditación, dejamos ir. Dejamos ir nuestras adicciones a ciertos objetos y experiencias, dejamos de creer en esas voces que nos llaman. Dejamos ir nuestros conceptos limitados de felicidad y de quiénes somos y qué necesitamos. Al descubrir el tesoro de nuestra naturaleza original, podemos estar en el aire. Podemos ser libres.


Preguntas de semillas para la reflexión: ¿Cómo te relacionas con la noción de que nuestra naturaleza original es un tesoro que espera ser descubierto? ¿Puedes compartir una historia personal de una vez que dejaste ir el mundo y conectaste con la pureza de tu naturaleza original? ¿Qué te ayuda a dejar de lado tus adicciones a objetos y experiencias?


Sharon Salzberg es una reconocida maestra de meditación. Extracto arriba de su libro, un corazón tan amplio como el mundo.
Seed Questions for Reflection

How do you relate to the notion that our original nature is a treasure waiting to be discovered? Can you share a personal story of a time you let the world go and connected with the purity of your original nature? What helps you let go of your addictions to objects and experiences?

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Add Your Reflection

17 Past Reflections
MA
Mar 28, 2023
Once upon a time websites had an "about" tab that described who was behind this content. Elas ... times are a-changin', and in this specific case, not the way I'd like ;-) I love the content (fantastic article right here!) I've read AND I do want to know who is distributing it, and to what purpose. Would anyone in this discussion be willing to fill me in? The willingness to be open and transparent would greatly assist in my decision to take this further. Thank you!
SI
Mar 5, 2023
“I have what you need” is just one of the expressions of the paradigm of division dominating our society. Perhaps it is time to replace it with “We are one. The universe is our home and we all have what we need.” The awareness of Oneness, manifesting through kindness and solidarity, is the key for a new era for humanity. As long as we see ourselves as separate, imperfect beings, we remain trapped into the paradigm of need. When we believe that we need something we unconsciously define ourselves as not enough. From craving to disappointment to more craving and more disappointment we run around chasing shadows, trapped into unhappiness land. We can live joyfully. We can let go of illusion and embrace the joy of being. Being is a miracle. Being you is an extraordinary opportunity. You are enough. You are so much more than enough. You – We …are infinite beings – one with the abundant universe that expresses through us. Let’s leave behind those shadows and live e... View full comment
NB
Nidhi banthia mehta
Feb 28, 2023
A decade ago, I moved from the space of being a "have not" to "have". It's been a beautiful feeling and way of life. From a "what do I buy next" and feeling a sense of void even after buying and having access to so much, i now feel so fulfilled. I've given away a third of my wardrobe, designer bags shoes and clothes and enjoy wearing what I have. I feel immense joy in giving to others - almost like I've been given a magic wand to fulfil others wishes or what they need. I give knowledge, experience, love and material gifts. I send letters of appreciation and acknowledgement to others who impact mine or others lives greatly. I share openly and freely because now I feel abundance!
LI
Lin
Feb 28, 2023
We know this. We work on it daily. Keep up your meditation practice. I will begin today.❤️
BD
Feb 28, 2023
When we start building in-roads to our true self, original nature — whatever we want to call it — we are unlikely to ever see a particular time or place where that has turned the tide to produce a skillful, less painful response to a given stressor. We need patience and understanding that we are part of a much larger process that unfolds gradually, usually imperceptibly, over time.
FD
Feb 28, 2023
Before my divorce I poured life and love into my home, for my children to grow up in. When they left home my husband and I built the big straw bale house and retreat centre that was going to provide for the rest of our lives. It proved easy enough to leave my husband when it was the right time to do so, but the house took a long time to mourn. Now I have flipped a couple more houses. Ones I have poured my heart and labour into renovating and making into wonderful homes. But I never consider them treasure or something to hold onto. They are worth restoring and lovingly filling with light and energy for whoever lives in them again. Even the land belongs to whoever enjoys it. This leaves me room to evolve and learn to let go over and over.
NA
Feb 28, 2023
Maybe because I just turned 60. Or maybe practicing mindfulness. I find that when I am with nature and with flowers I feel so fulfilled. I touch thru as I go by. I send them good wishes I tell them I love you so so much. And I come away feeling happy. Thought I could share this
AS
Ashika
Feb 27, 2023
I am addicted to food. I want to loose weight and feel good. But when I see food I forget everything and start to eat. After eating I would feel guilty and sad.
I tell myself that I can restrain from eating more. Even if I am not hungry I would eat. I would suddenly feel hungry if there is food.
How do I stop doing this? How do I stop myself eating at the time of urge?
GR
Greg Feb 28, 2023
The urge will pass. Feel the feelings that are awful and the stress and they too shall pass. Try overeaters anonymous. This will take work and commitment. Willing and able to do anything it takes to be healthy
DD
David Doane Feb 28, 2023
You can restrain yourself. Know that you can. You are stronger than the strongest urge.
SI
Silvana Mar 5, 2023
Ashika, I believe that a good way to approach this is by being kind to yourself. There is a child in each one of us and it needs love and affection. Do not be so hard on yourself, do not judge yourself so harshly! Would you scold and judge a child? Talk to yourself as you would talk to a little child that is craving food. Your cravings might be rooted in past events and it will take time and patience to let them go. When you cook for yourself, cook with Light and Joy. Acknowledge the abundance and the beautiful energies in the food you are eating. Be grateful for the fact that you can feed yourself. Food is energy. Shift the negative energy into joy, into positivity. You can do it. But only with patience, love and kindness. Sending you trust and confidence. :-)
FD
Firoz Dosani Mar 6, 2023
I don't feel qualified to respond, but I will share with you that the best thing I ever did was to take an online course called "Eat Right Now" by the renowned neurologist Dr. Judd Brewer. It absolutely emphasizes being kind to yourself while also showing how we form our eating habit loops and how we can use various techniques to feel the urges and cravings and ride them out without giving in to them. The concept is one of "unresistance", not one of resisting our urges.
GS
Feb 27, 2023
Shure when i lost my job and i was in hosoital som cristian noon. Ani Marinova come to me and she was speak me about seint Francisk i was practise muslimah in this time bud nobody visit me. We are talk for blue mousque rumi and Francisko.
From 2011 to 2021 i was work with my self i was reed quran in arabik bud dont understand the mesage.
The my fathrer passed and i kost my self hi was passed 2018 from 2021 may be i was start to tecover my speret whith mantra. Im not hindu bud my speret neau its more aksletifol this leson i stady from India to aksept evribody.
I steel cry when i leson quran because i remember my father how hi passed. Defentley speretual travel have lot of sad.
When i was reed quran for me this was medjtation. I havent right to say cause im beliver bud i can say cause surch the true in evrithink.
TE
Feb 26, 2023
I agree, and meditation is a powerful and effective tool to recognize how much of what I may say (or feel) that I want is actually just a product of my heredity, environment, and conditioning. Whether it's as blatant as a street vendor or advertisement, or whether it's the tastes I inherited or grew up with. Yet the call of the infinite is there as well, always out of ego's grasp. To know BE-ingness intimately, at any cost, so regular meditation seems a small cost indeed.
DD
Feb 25, 2023
I believe that our original nature is. treasure much greater than we are aware of and is waiting to be discovered. The world cries out "I have what you need, your treasure is out here," but it's not outside us, it's within us. Seeking it outside, believing somebody or something out there has what I need is a mistake. It may take seeking it outside to realize that. There are times I have made that mistake. There are now many times that I let the world go and connect with what is inside me. A simple example for me is when I let go of what I think the world or the other expects, let go of trying to know or control what the outcome will be, and speak or act from my '"original nature" which is my inner experience, my heart or soul, and being that way usually turns out very well. What helps me let go of my addictions to external objects is knowing that happiness, satisfaction, and what I need is within me, knowing that addictions are not good for me, and knowing that my truth and "nat... View full comment
JP
Feb 24, 2023
It is indeed an irony that we lose ourseleves by our ownseleves. We lose our own freedom by letting our hands be tied by our own addictions to certain objects and experiences that can never bring deep and lasting satisfactios in our life. We are chasing the shadows to find our original self. I love what Rumi says, " How long we fill our pockets like children with dirt and stones? Let the world go. Holding it, we never know ourselves, never are airborne." It is difficult to wake up and see the light. It is difficult to break the chain of addictions or unwholsome attachments to things and experiences that bring superficail and short lived pleasures. I have been working on my self to get rid of those temptations and to be from those self-limiting attachments. Recognizing and accepting my own limitations and working on them to overcome has been very helpful to me. Seeing the rays of light diminishes the self-created darkness. Such awakening and awareness removes the dust covering my v... View full comment
MA
Feb 24, 2023
All resources we ever could need are found in the breath. ALL. Yes, even time, money, food...