THE WALKING GURU

The magic of nature, that which nobody really knows what it is and where it comes from, rules life. Cells knows when to divide. There as a natural rhythm to things and even this rhythm changes naturally. Then, the system adapts, evolves, the strong survives, what doesn’t survive goes back into the flow into a different form. That’s a possibility beyond religion and science.

The Beauty of mankind is that we can be aware of the beauty, create, learn and evolve consciously. When I read “you are consciousness”, my thinking mind can’t grasp the idea. But that’s exactly it: I am not my thinking mind. I have a thinking mind. Sentient beings have the capacity to feel by nature. There is a reason, a purpose, even if it was a “random mixture” of genes and upbringing in every individual being so individual: made out of the same stuff, the same elements, the same laws of nature, every one lives different aspects more and others less, has different interests, inherent talents, curiosities. We share basic fears of surviving and yet how we deal with what is inside and around us, everybody deals with differently.

We might have the same basic needs to survive as children such as love, care, attention which are often not met entirely and leave grown-ups as if they were “unfinished” children. With a felt whole in the matrix without being aware of what that whole is, since you don’t know it any different. It’s kind of hilarious: sitting in the box of experiences and knowledge, we are now challenged to find out about our deepest needs.

Trial and error is a great way to learn to live and grow, as long as we can reflect and understand what has happened. No matter how many pitfalls you have survived, it certainly helps to step back and change perspective to see the situation (s) with neutral lenses. This kind of exploring and reflecting can be called discovery. We uncover a rhythm, a law, a if this then that. Traps, threats and challenges are a pretty direct opportunity to grow out of the cloud of unmet needs and take responsibility for yourself, even though you might have never learned how.

The “I did it again”, followed by a set of unpleasant emotions and reoccurring thoughts is the signal: time to go within and explore more, possibly get support from a “neutral lense”, an unbiased perspective.

What do you really need, beyond surviving? What do you really crave for? How can you nurture this craving fully responsible without hurting yourself or others physically, mentally or emotionally? Not everybody has the same needs.

Are you meeting your Needs?

Social Needs: Humans are social creatures, and they have a fundamental need for connection, love, and belonging. This includes forming relationships, experiencing intimacy, and being a part of social groups and communities. Intimacy including more than having sex: opening up sharing thoughts and emotions, even those, we might still feel embarrassed about.

Esteem Needs: People need to be respected, valued, and recognized not just for their accomplishments, but their Being. Esteem needs encompass both external recognition from others and internal self-respect and self-esteem. When you don’t feel good about yourself, it can be hard to appreciate “who you are”. Unhappy with patterns that run your system, patterns, that didn’t get there for nothing. Totally normal. Suffering can be a motivation to change patterns. Drugs that keep you from feeling what you feel can prevent the natural urge to thrive, prevent motivation to adjust those patterns, that make life hard for you.

Self-Actualization: This is the need for personal growth, self-discovery, and fulfilling one’s potential. It involves pursuing individual passions, creative expression, and striving to become the best version of oneself. Not everyone seems to have or be aware of this need. I do. I feel stuck if I don’t grow in any way.

Cognitive Needs: Humans have a natural inclination to seek knowledge, understanding, and cognitive stimulation. This includes learning, problem-solving, and intellectual curiosity. Witnessing different cultures, I observed this curiosity expressing itself in different ways. Some of the most interesting intellectual learnings I experienced was hanging out an hour every night at sunset on the Amazon with my indigenous lady friends during 3 months. These learnings are priceless.

Aesthetic Needs: Appreciating and seeking beauty, art, and experiences that evoke aesthetic pleasure are considered aesthetic needs. It involves a desire for harmony, balance, and sensory enjoyment. Experimenting with little, I discovered that you don’t need more awareness and creativity than financial resources to fulfill those aesthetic needs. What about you?

Autonomy and Freedom: The need for autonomy is the desire to have control over one’s actions and decisions. Humans seek freedom and independence to make choices that align with their values and desires. This can be tricky, since this needs easily gets in conflict with the need of belonging. A great learning space for the brave ones to learn about personal boundaries and still stay connected.

Emotional Well-being: This encompasses the need for emotional stability, positive emotions, and the ability to cope with stress and challenges. Emotional well-being involves managing feelings, understanding emotions, and fostering resilience. Having seen, empathized and experienced a lot of misery in the third world that stems from emotional needs not met, I had the urge to research this field deeper. I believe emotional well-being starts with learning to allow feelings as well as unresolved old emotions that linger in the system without attaching to them. An art on its own…

Purpose and Meaning: Humans have a deep-seated need to find purpose and meaning in life. This can be achieved through meaningful work, contributing to society, or engaging in activities aligned with personal values and beliefs. If that purpose-exposing is based on looking good and being accepted by your peer, dig deeper, there is probably something really important to you that matters more.

Spirituality and Transcendence: Some individuals have a need for spiritual experiences, seeking connection with something larger than themselves, whether through religious practices, meditation, or nature. There is a possibility that this way of expanding awareness frees us from suffering by non-attachment. Just a thought to be explored by each of us.

Social Contribution: Many people find fulfillment in contributing positively to society and making a difference in the lives of others. This may involve volunteer work, charitable efforts, or engaging in activism. Even a smile to a stranger can make a significant change to somebody’s life, just for that moment. It’s might not be much of a social contribution, but a start to the habit of appreciating yourself and others enjoying the very moment.

Instead of checking boxes of the above list, I invite you to just expand your inner map of possible needs, without doing much about it. And when you are out there, living in the wild industrialized, artificial-intelligent third world, make use of those sensations, feelings and emotions as if those highly- sophisticated inherent signals by nature were not really threatening in themselves, but signaled you to attend your needs, become sober, explore what it is that you have been ignoring. “Working title”:

Loving all there is beyond good and bad