In this age of entitlement, the catch-cry is often for “More and more”- more screen time, more devices, more money, more entertainment etc. Do we really need more or do we just want more? In my July column in the Sydney Observer magazine, I discuss the importance of differentiating between WANTS and NEEDS.
Needs speak to basic things that are important, usually necessities. Wants are usually about things that would be nice to have - desires or wishes. I learned this valuable distinction at my first meditation retreat where we were invited to eat one daily meal in keeping with the Buddhist practice. I piled a lot of food on my plate, worried that I might go hungry later. When told by my meditation teacher that we have to eat everything on our plates, I realised that I wanted more food than I really needed. As my meditation teacher noted, “A grateful heart turns what we have into enough.” Appreciating and acknowledging that we have enough acts as a buffer to many psychological problems for the young and old.
To read the full article (p.10)
https://sydneyobserver.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Observer0725.pdf
