21. Move Beyond Wants

Why are we always behind one thing or the other? Not only do we want something, we are also in a hurry to get it.

When we are in a rush, we are running away from ourselves, our inner being. You will say, 'Swamiji, I have no desires. I only have needs.'

There is a huge difference between desire and need. How can we differentiate between the two?

Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, said that each being that takes birth in this world incarnates in the world with whatever is needed for its life. The universe has already provided for it. The universe never denies any creature the basic needs.

As stated earlier, the universe can supply the needs of all inhabitants of the planet, but not the wants of even one single person. Yet, we want. Not only do we want, we are also in a hurry to get it.

We are always comparing ourselves with our neighbors, colleagues, siblings and friends. We grab everything in our path - attention, time, energy - and still we are not satisfied.

We grab all the time. This has become a deeply engrained habit that we are no longer conscious of. We grab not because we need it but because we want it, out of greed, jealousy and lust. We grab, horde, acquire, possess, out of our fear.

Believe that the universe will provide for you. Trust the energy and intelligence of the universe.

All that the world gives is transient. That is the fate of everyone; nobody is spared.

A small story:

Towards the end of his life, Albert Einstein (an eminent Jwas depressed and turned to spirituality. One of his assistants asked him what he would do if he were to live his life all over again.

Einstein said, 'I would like to become a plumber.'

Shocked, the assistant asked, 'Why would you want to be a plumber?'

Einstein said, 'All my life I have worked for and achieved whatever I wanted. But now I feel that my whole life has been a lie. I gave many truths to people but my life has become a lie. Now, I understand that my life has been wasted. From childhood I always wanted to be a plumber. I need to live my dream.'