It was yet another conversation that suddenly was initiated between them. Some conversations just spring with no known rhyme or reason, though at the end of it, one is sure there was a reason why the conversation happened!! This was one such conversation between MAnvi and her thAthA.

MAnvi: thAthA, we all think that the most stressful of situations, the most difficult of situations, the crises situations are those which reveal what we are capable of. I think that the most exciting of situations and the most joyous of situations could also reveal what we are capable of.

thAthA: Explain, MAnvi.

MAnvi: thAthA, testing times is what makes us to put our best foot forward, even though we may feel as though we are pushed against the wall.

thAthA: Strange MAnvi, to hear the words that you use – putting your best foot forward when you feel being pushed against the wall!!

MAnvi looked taken aback at what her thAthA remarked.

MAnvi: Explain, thAthA.

thAthA: When you feel pushed to the wall, you want to come forward. What is the need that drives it, MAnvi?

MAnvi: The need to survive.

thAthA: Precisely. So to survive, you will use all your capabilities, those you  know and those you don’t. If you are thinking how you will use the capabilities that you don’t know, the need to survive will find them in you and reveal itself, MAnvi.

MAnvi was speechless at the direction the conversation was taking. She thought she strted driving the conversation and suddenly it appeared that her thAthA was driving it. And just as she thought so,

thAthA: Explain, MAnvi; why you thought that the most joyous of situations or the exciting of situations reveal your capabilities.

MAnvi (still bewildered and after a minute of being lost in thought): thAthA, in the most exciting or joyous of times, there is so much of exhilaration in us that we may unconsciously push ourselves to give our best. When we do that, once again the capabilities we know and those that we don’t know, reveal themselves.

It was MAnvi’s thAthA’s turn to be taken aback at the train of her thoughts.

MAnvi: That aspect of pushing ourselves and giving our best in an exhilarated state of mind also comes from a need, thAthA.

thAthA: The need for what, MAnvi?

MAnvi: I am not sure, thAthA. I know there is something there but it is eluding me!!

thAthA went silent for a few minutes, wanting to give MAnvi the time to process her thoughts.

thAthA: Would the need for security be a reason for it, MAnvi?

MAnvi: Explain, thAthA.

thAthA: MAnvi, security gives comfort. When something exhilarates you and you push your boundaries to act on it, your capabilities are revealed. These times though unlike the times when you felt being pushed against the wall,  lends the feeling of comfort and that satiates the need for security.

MAnvi: Interesting thAthA, that when you pull yourself back from being pushed against the wall, you satiate the need for survival; and when you feel exhilarated and you push the boundary, you feel a sense of comfort and that satiates the need for security. There is a need then in many a beat, thAthA.

thAthA (smiling): Well, you make it sound as though our heart beats for needs to be met :-).

MAnvi, our life is like a string of needs. When one need gets satiated, the next one which is in wait, steps in.. and then one more, and one more.. and that goes on.

MAnvi: Well thAtha! Not all our needs can be met isn’t it, given that there are many a string of them, that we wear all thru our life?

thAthA: Nature has it in her to reveal the answer to you, in her own way, thru the situations that are created in the environment you are in. The wise thing to do would be to create moments for yourself, to reflect and understand. You are the answer to your questions!!

The profundity of her thAthA’s last statament made MAnvi go quiet, both within and outside!! In that silence, she could hear a string of needs drop!!

NOTE: This blog emerged after a session on ‘Non-violent communication’ by a good friend and colleague, Archana Gopal.