'Ware tada shiru taru' - All You Need, You Already Have

There is a famous stone water basin or “tsukubai” outside of the even more famous Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto, with four characters that read: “ware tada shiru taru.”

This is a Zen saying that can be translated in a number of ways, all to do with contentment. 

But my favorite translation is: “All you need, you already have.”

Chances are, you have enough food, clothing, shelter & other basic necessities in your life. 

You might also have loved ones, people who care about you. 

You are mostly comfortable, without any desperate needs - All you need, you already have.

And yet we don’t see life this way, we are dissatisfied, looking for more comfort, more love, more knowledge, more certainty, more possessions, more food, more entertainment, more validation. 

Without criticizing anyone, I think we don’t often embody the idea that we already have enough.

If we remember to do so, we can give thanks for what we have. We can appreciate the beauty, the preciousness, of every moment, of being alive. 

It is actually a miracle, and we don’t have to take it for granted.

How can we learn to embody this idea of "All you need, you already have.”

It’s hard to remember to be present and grateful and filled with enough-ness throughout the day, with all that we have going on, with all of our distractions and internal stories.

A little ritual that helps us remember.

•Wake up and say a little prayer of thanks for what you have in your life.

•When you meet someone, bow to them (in your mind) out of respect. You might touch your heart or offer them a smile if that helps.

•When you eat, say a little prayer of thanks to everyone who made your meal possible (farmers, cooks, transporters, their families, etc.). Appreciate every bite if you can.

•You might also ask yourself, before you buy something whether you really need more or if you have enough.

•Ask yourself, regularly throughout your day, whether you have all you need. 

I think you’ll find that you do, and by appreciating that fact more often, you can see what a profound miracle life is.

Embody contentment & stay blessed forever.