Meditating on Needs

Needs are qualities that contribute to the flourishing of life. We all have physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. These needs motivate our choices and actions. By meditating on needs, we can become more conscious of their presence (and absence) in our own lives and in the lives of others. We can seek to contribute to needs for the sake of our personal and communal flourishing.

The following list of needs* is neither exhaustive nor definitive. It is meant as a starting place to support anyone who wishes to engage in a process of deepening self-discovery and to facilitate greater understanding and connection between people. We encourage you to pause and consider your life right now. Identify a few needs that are unmet for you and a few needs that are met for you.

Reflect on these questions: what does this need mean for me? How do I feel when this need is met? What happens in my body when this need is met? Take time to dwell on this. Consider journaling about it. Then ask yourself: Is there a request I could make of another person to help meet this need? Is there an action I could take to meet this need? Consider writing a prayer in which you express your needs to God.  

CONNECTION acceptance affection appreciation belonging cooperation communication closeness community companionship compassion consideration consistency empathy inclusion intimacy love mutuality nurturing respect/self-respect safety security stability support to know and be known to see and be seen to understand and be understood trust warmth

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING air food movement/exercise rest/sleep sexual expression safety shelter touch water HONESTY authenticity integrity presence PLAY joy humor PEACE beauty communion ease equality harmony inspiration order

MEANING awareness celebration of life challenge clarity competence consciousness contribution creativity discovery efficacy effectiveness growth hope learning mourning participation purpose self-expression stimulation to matter understanding AUTONOMY choice freedom independence space spontaneity

*Adapted from Center for Nonviolent Communication