I have everything I don’t need. Do you?
Realizing
that I don’t need something
is as good as getting it.
Not wanting
is as good as getting.
Time was,
there used to be
so many things
I thought I needed.
I interpreted not having things
as being unsatisfied and unfulfilled,
as though acquisitions and accomplishments
determined state of being.
My state of being
no longer depends on things.
I have everything I don’t need.
Trail Wood,
1/7
The Liberation in Non-Attachment
We venture into the realm of non-attachment and the profound realization that the absence of desire can be as fulfilling as its attainment. This journey sheds light on the transformative shift from a state of wanting to a state of contentment with what is.
The Illusion of Need
Reflecting on the past, when the perception was that numerous things were needed to feel satisfied and fulfilled, we recognize the illusion embedded in this belief. The notion that acquisitions and accomplishments are the bedrock of our state of being is a narrative deeply ingrained in society. It’s a whimsiword, a fanciful notion that promises contentment but often leads to a perpetual cycle of desire.
Dissolving the Link Between Being and Having
As the poem progresses, there’s a marked shift in perspective. The realization dawns that our state of being is not contingent on external factors – things we possess or achievements we’ve garnered. This is a significant departure from the commonly held belief that to ‘have’ is to ‘be.’ By dissolving this link, we free ourselves from the confines of material and societal expectations.
The Fullness of Emptiness
The paradoxical statement, “I have everything I don’t need,” encapsulates the essence of this newfound understanding. There’s a profound fullness in the recognition of not needing, a completeness in the acceptance of what is, as opposed to what could be. It’s an acknowledgment that the absence of desire does not equate to lack but to a different kind of abundance – one that is internal and self-sustaining.
A Shift in State of Being
This shift in state of being from a reliance on external acquisitions to an internal sense of completeness is a transformative process. It’s a journey from seeking fulfillment in the external world to finding it within oneself. This transition is not just a change in mindset but a fundamental alteration in how we interact with the world and perceive our place in it.
Contentment in the Present
The ultimate realization here is the contentment found in the present moment, in what is, rather than what could be. It’s a state of being that is grounded, peaceful, and independent of the material world. This contentment does not negate ambition or the pursuit of goals but places them in a context where they no longer dictate our sense of self-worth or happiness.
Summary
We explore the concept of non-attachment and the realization that not needing or wanting can be as fulfilling as obtaining. We reflect on the illusory nature of needs tied to material possessions and achievements, and how a shift in perspective can lead to a state of being that is content and fulfilled by simply being, independent of external factors.
Glossarium
- Non-Attachment: The state of not being emotionally or mentally dependent on things or outcomes.
- Contentment in the Present: Finding fulfillment and satisfaction in the current moment, independent of external circumstances.
“The root of suffering is attachment.” – The Buddha
A Poem of Non-Attachment
In the whimsiworld of wants and needs,
Where desire plants its endless seeds,
We once sought things, to fill our space,
In the chase of want, in the endless race.
But in the stillness, a truth we find,
In the letting go, peace of mind,
Not in the having, but in the being,
In the not wanting, true seeing.
Everything we don’t need, a treasure so vast,
In the emptiness, we find at last,
The joy of being, in the present, so clear,
In the art of not needing, we hold dear.
We invite you to share your experiences and insights on the journey from wanting to a state of contentment and non-attachment.
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