This quote by Rumi is a profound reflection on the symbiotic relationship between needs and their fulfillment. It suggests that the relationship between the seeker and the sought is not one-sided, but reciprocal. The thirsty person seeks water to quench their thirst, but the water, metaphorically, also seeks the thirsty to fulfill its purpose.
In essence, Rumi is emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things and the mutual attraction between needs and their satisfaction. It is not a one-way street where only one party is active and the other is passive. Instead, it’s a dynamic, reciprocal relationship where both parties are actively seeking each other.
The quote can be applied to various aspects of life. In the context of personal development, it can be interpreted as the natural attraction between our inner potentials and the opportunities that allow them to flourish. We are often in pursuit of opportunities to grow and develop, but those opportunities are also ‘seeking’ us – our talents, skills, and potentials.
In the modern world, this could be seen in the context of supply and demand in economics. The consumers (thirsty) seek goods or services (water), but at the same time, the providers of these goods and services also seek consumers. Without consumers, the goods or services lose their purpose, just like water without the thirsty.
In relationships, it could mean that while we seek love and companionship, love and companionship also seek us. It’s a mutual attraction and longing for fulfillment.
In essence, Rumi’s quote is a reminder of the active role we must play in seeking what we desire, but also the understanding that what we seek is also seeking us. This perspective encourages us to be proactive, but also patient and open to the opportunities that are ‘seeking’ us.
