A Meditation on Longing

"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing." - Oriah Mountain Dreamer

*Exercise from The Invitation, by Oriah Mountain Dreamer*

To learn the difference between wanting, needing, and yearning:

Write down the following: I want... I need... I desire... and keep filling in those statements, one after the other, for 5 minutes. Do not judge, let whatever comes up come up.

Now, read those statements aloud one at a time saying "It doesn't interest me if I ever have... (insert want, need, or desire) What I really want is..." Complete the second statement without censorship and let yourself be surprised.

I want:

• a better memory

• breakfast

• to be flexible, strong, and fit

• to be surrounded by warm community

• to feel competent and able to lead

• a dog of my own

I need:

• to pack for the PCT

• more movement

• to be more committed and disciplined

• to reach out to my friends and family more often

• more technical skills

• a job

I desire:

• living near the mountains out west

• to be in the swell of the moment with others when they push themselves to do something hard and believe in themselves enough to do it

• a body and mind that allow me to push past fear and try hard things and do them

• to be moving and moved; to be with others and feel joy and feel pain without moving away

• to be inspiring and motivate others to forge their own paths

• the freedom to write, run, play, and dream

It doesn't interest me if I ever have...What I really want is...

• to be joyful and present with myself and the people I am with

• to be prepared and feel ready for life; to live my life

• challenge and beauty; endless opportunities to challenge myself and see what is possible in this world

• well... actually I did really want breakfast that day... I was hungry!

• to feel proud and loving of my body no matter what I am doing in it

• to be among the inspired and the inspirers, to be in the action of life

• passion to persevere and guide my path

• the heart that allows me to know which hard things are mine to meet and trust that I can meet them

• to be intimately and deeply connected to myself, others, and the nature of where I am

• to know I am also needed and loved and wanted

• to let down my armor so I can let life in; to live without armor

• the courage to try and trust

• to inspire and motivate myself to forge my own path

• a companion who is always there for me and lights me up

• something that I am deeply committed to and curious and interested in that allows me to be creative

• to give myself permission to write, run, play, dream, and love