I’ve been driving myself nutty with my “wanting” mind. I figured since I hardly go clothes shopping, I didn’t really have a strong desire for stuff. Well, that’s not the case. In fact, it’s worse because my wanting mind disguises itself.
Yesterday I was hanging out with my mom in the living room and I thought out loud “the less you want the richer you are” and she laughed her response “you need to start practicing what you preach!” And that’s when the reality of life hit me – I want a lot. I want to take all these yoga workshops, I want to achieve a certain pose, I want to visit family in Brasil, I want ice cream, etc etc.
Have you noticed how exhausting it is to want things, or want people to be a certain way, or want to be at a certain place in life? I can literally feel my disappointment in life when I realize how little of what I want I can actually get right now. And yet, when I stop thinking about everything I long for and just look at the life around me, I am very blessed. My life is effing awesome!
I think we feel the same way when we experience jealousy of someone else’s opportunities. When we get jealous, when we live from a place of desires, when we live in the future, we numb our hearts. All of these things take us out of the present moment. The press of your chest when you spend time desiring what you can’t have, that sensation is your heart literally closing.
It’s hard for me to not want. Luckily I am not into fashion, but I have my weak spots. Technology being one of them, yoga experiences being the other. But what I said to my mom is really the truth of it all – we will only find space and love for life when we lose the wanting bug. We will be rich, even amidst poverty, if we remember true happiness requires only the bare minimum. It’s that simple. Money does NOT correlate to happiness.
I have a hard time following this advice. But I am working on it. Especially with my food issues and wanting to eat when I am not hungry. One must ask oneself, why do we want xyzed. What does one think will happen when we attain it? Can we find contentment with what we do have? What is stopping us from being ok with how things are? These questions will begin to provide some insight to your longing heart and open yourself up to your real heart – the one that just wants to love no matter what you do or do not have.
Namaste.
February 28th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
I was taught early on in life that the only thing we need to survive is food, water and shelter. After becoming vegan and by that process just becoming more aware of myself and the society in which I dwell this time around, I realize too that we don't need much. I enjoyed sending a trunkfull of clothing, shoes, etc. to the Salvation Army – it is such a good feeling to reduce "stuff". I don't own the house I live in nor do I own a car. I just don't claim to "own" anything. I "have" some things, but they are all up for grabs. Someone wants something, they can have it. Just leave me at least the clothes on my back and my flip flops and maybe sandals too and I'll be okay. So am I breaking my arm patting myself on the back? Nope. Just sharing. And I thank-you very much, Teeg, for sharing our life with us and being transparent. Remember: you were born perfect and are perfect. The empty basket is full. Namaste! ~ Ricky
March 1st, 2012 at 2:00 am
wow Ricky thank you for your sincere answer! all of that sounds just wonderful =)
March 1st, 2012 at 11:57 am
We're heading into kapha season, baby! If you're noticing a little more clingy-ness in your patterns, thoughts, more desire to purchase, want, have? Not surprising- but you're doing exactly what you need to bring back balance to beloved kapha- being self-aware and getting up to go practice- on AND off the mat!