寧靜的心跡(35) 辨別需要與欲望


需要和欲望是兩個容易混淆的概念。需要是維持基本生活所必需的東西或行動,而欲望則是追求非必需的東西,或做不必要事情。理解和區分兩者,對於我們管理生活中的資源和情感至關重要。

辨別需要和欲望,可以幫助我們將資源集中在真正重要的事情上,並減輕生活中的壓力。基本需要很少且容易滿足,當這些需要得到滿足,我們會感到平靜和快樂。欲望極為廣泛,不僅無法被滿足,還會讓我們陷入惡性循環,引發損害生命的行為。因此,需要是生命的基石,而欲望則是我們的懸崖。

需要與我們的生存和健康有關,例如食物、水、住所和基本衣物。欲望是對生活的額外期待,例如豪華大餐、奢侈品或極致的享受。如果無法辨別自己的需要和欲望,我們可能會忽視自己的需要,並花費大量的時間和金錢來滿足欲望。

滿足需要是我們的首要任務。如果需要得不到及時的滿足,我們就會形成許多的欲望。這些欲望都是虛假的需要,它們越多或越強烈,我們就越難感到滿足。欲望就像一個無底洞,越是投入,我們越會感到空虛。這將迫使我們投入更多,從而浪費生命。

滿足需要能帶來平靜與安寧,而追求欲望則帶來焦慮與不安。一旦知道了這一點,我們就會滿足於有一間小屋、適量食物和衣服,以及一個所愛的人。佔有太多外在的東西,必然變成我們的負擔。即使在追求精神上的事物,過多的欲望也會讓我們誤入歧途,甚至付出生命的代價。

對意識的渴望是唯一的例外。意識越多、越豐富,需要就越容易被滿足,欲望就越少,我們的身心就越健康。因此,只要將對物質和精神的欲望,轉化為對知識的渴望,我們就會變得越來越充實。好奇心讓我們認識世界,知識提升意識,讓我們接受世間的一切,豐富我們的心靈。

當心靈不再空虛,我們的注意力就能回到生命的真正需要上,並更致力於追求人生的真正目標。因此,透過辨別需要和欲望,滿足自己的真正需要,我們就能體驗到生命的豐富多彩。這不僅可以幫助我們更好地面對現實中的困難和考驗,還可以讓我們找到幸福和自由。我們將會發現,簡單的生活方式可以帶來更健康的身心。


34. 毫不猶疑的接受 (上一篇)

36. 別忘記運用邏輯思維 (下一篇)

目錄



The path to Tranquility (35)
Distinguish between needs and desires


Needs and desires are two concepts that are easily confused. Needs are things or actions necessary to maintain basic life, while desires are the pursuit of non-essential things or the doing of unnecessary things. Understanding and distinguishing between the two is critical to managing the resources and emotions in our lives.

Identifying needs and wants can help us focus our resources on what is truly important and reduce stress in our lives. Basic needs are few and easy to satisfy, and when these needs are met, we feel calm and happy. Desires are so widespread that not only can they not be satisfied, they can also trap us in a vicious cycle and trigger behaviors that harm our lives. Therefore, needs are the cornerstone of life, while desires are our cliffs.

Needs are related to our survival and health, such as food, water, shelter, and basic clothing. Desires are extra expectations from life, such as extravagant meals, luxury goods, or ultimate enjoyment. Without the ability to discern our needs and desires, we may neglect our needs and spend a great deal of time and money trying to satisfy our desires.

Meeting needs is our top priority. If our needs are not met in a timely manner, we will develop many desires. These desires are false needs, and the more they exist or the stronger they are, the harder it is for us to feel satisfied. Desire is like a bottomless pit. The more we invest in it, the more empty we will feel. This will force us to invest more and thus waste our lives.

Satisfying needs brings peace and tranquility, while pursuing desires brings anxiety and unrest. Once we know this, we will be content with having a small house, a moderate amount of food and clothing, and a loved one. Possessing too many external things will inevitably become a burden to us. Even in the pursuit of spiritual things, excessive desire can lead us astray and even cost us our lives.

The desire for consciousness is the only exception. The more and richer our consciousness is, the easier it is to meet our needs, the fewer desires we have, and the healthier our body and mind will be. Therefore, as long as we transform our desires for material and spiritual things into a desire for knowledge, we will become more and more fulfilled. Curiosity allows us to understand the world, knowledge enhances our consciousness, allows us to accept everything in the world, and enriches our souls.

When the mind is no longer empty, our attention can return to the real needs of life and we can be more committed to pursuing the true goals of life. Therefore, by identifying needs and desires and satisfying our real needs, we can experience the richness of life. This can not only help us better face the difficulties and challenges in reality, but also enable us to find happiness and freedom. We will discover that a simple lifestyle can lead to a healthier body and mind.


On June 25, 2023


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