Breaking the Cycle of Taha Tinana (Physical Cravings) - Day 11
Breaking the Cycle of Taha Tinana (Physical Cravings)
In te ao Māori (the Māori worldview), humans are seen as beings of both taha tinana (the physical realm) and taha wairua (the spiritual realm). A balance between these aspects is essential for well-being. When we focus solely on satisfying our physical cravings—kai (food), moe (rest), hiahia (desires), and mataku (fear)—we risk losing our connection to wairuatanga (spirituality) and mauri (life force).
The Story of Tūmaro and the Sacred Rākau (Tree)
Once, a man named Tūmaro roamed the vast ngahere (forest) in search of a better life. He was tired, hungry, and filled with uncertainty about his future. As the sun blazed above him, he cried out to the atua (gods), seeking their guidance.
Hearing his plea, Tāne Mahuta, the atua of the forests, sent him a gift: a rākau manaaki (sacred tree) with the power to grant wishes. Exhausted, Tūmaro lay beneath the tree, and his first wish was for moe (rest). The tree immediately granted his desire, providing a cool shade, soft moss, and a gentle breeze that lulled him into a deep sleep.
When he awoke, his puku (stomach) growled with hunger. Without thinking, he wished for kai, and the tree responded with an abundance of delicious hākari (feast). He devoured it greedily, thanking no one for the gift.
Feeling satisfied, his mind wandered to hiahia (desire). Tūmaro wished for a companion to bring him pleasure and ease his loneliness. The tree granted this wish too, and soon he became absorbed in his desires, forgetting his original prayer to the atua.
As the day turned to night, Tūmaro became aware of the darkening ngahere and the distant calls of kēhua (spirits). Fear crept into his mind, and he thought, “What if a wild beast comes to attack me?” As soon as the thought arose, the sacred tree granted it—a kurī ngaro (ferocious beast) appeared and devoured him.
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The Lesson of Tūmaro
The kaumātua (elders) who shared this story taught that Tūmaro’s downfall was not caused by the rākau manaaki but by his own lack of balance. By giving in entirely to taha tinana (physical cravings) without nurturing his taha wairua (spiritual self), he created a cycle that led to his destruction.
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Values Reflected in the Story
1. Whanaungatanga (Connection): Tūmaro failed to acknowledge the atua and his connection to the world around him. Gratitude and mindfulness strengthen our relationships with others and with te taiao (the environment).
2. Wairuatanga (Spirituality): The story reminds us that taha wairua must be nurtured alongside taha tinana. Practices such as karakia (prayers) and aroha ki te Atua (love for the gods) maintain spiritual balance.
3. Manaakitanga (Respect and Care): Instead of respecting the sacred gift of the tree, Tūmaro became consumed by his personal desires, neglecting the importance of moderation and care.
4. Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship): The sacred tree symbolises the resources of Papatūānuku (Earth Mother), which must be used responsibly, with gratitude and care.
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Moral of the Story
The story of Tūmaro teaches us that balance is the key to a fulfilling life. Pursuing the needs of taha tinana without acknowledging taha wairua leads to imbalance and harm. To thrive, we must practice gratitude, moderation, and mindfulness. As values remind us, nurturing our spiritual connection ensures harmony within ourselves, our whānau, and the wider world.
In Tūmaro’s story, the sacred rākau served not only as a gift but also as a reminder of the power of our intentions and the need to honor both physical and spiritual well-being.
Charities turning away high numbers of volunteer applications
Charities are turning away people wanting to volunteer amidst a flood of interest they say is linked to the high rate of unemployment.
It comes as some businesses receive thousands of applications for paid roles and people look for experience anywhere they can.
The advocacy organisation Volunteering NZ has been tracking the trend. Spokesperson Margaret McLachlan said there has been a considerable rise in applications for volunteer roles across a range of charities.
Many application forms asks people to divulge if they are job hunters.
"Over the last year or so, they are seeing more people coming in who are saying they are in that category. They are looking for work but doing volunteering while that process is taking place."
"As unemployment increases and the cost of living, times are tougher for everybody."
At the same time, she said community organisations supporting social services were busier and needed more helpers.
McLachlan said depending on the organisation, they might want to do a police check, a reference check and an interview.
"In some cases it can be a process to go through and not always, and that can take some time.
"It's actually the same barriers that a person might find in finding a job, can also apply to volunteering. It's not always a easy option."
SPCA had 120 op shops and animal rescue centres across the country in which volunteers worked.
General manager of retail Cathy Crichton said they received about 1300 extra applications for volunteer roles, a 32 percent increase, from June to November 2025, compared to 2024.
"There's definitely a nudge forward which is very exciting and we're very grateful."
But it meant they were not accepting any more volunteers in some areas.
"Because the applications are up it's a unique scenario. But at this point in time, in smaller locations, we've actually got a hold in 19 locations in New Zealand where we are at capacity - and that's very rare and it's a very new trend."
Crichton said anyone seeking volunteer work should think creatively about what skills they can offer - it could be in administration or marketing.
"We'd love to welcome as many people as we could because the more hands on deck the more we can do and the more we can contribute to the community."
She said people were self-motivated to apply for volunteer work.
The unemployment rate rose to 5.3 percent in the September quarter, meaning 160,000 people were jobless. The next quarterly figures are out in February.
"There's a willingness to give back and contribute to the community. Unemployment being high really does encourage people to engage with the workforce and get experience," Crichton said.
"It really is about staying connected with the community and meeting others."
She said they had also seen an increase in young people seeking volunteer work experience.
"It's a great opportunity to get work experience and a reference and there's an appeal there as an employer...I really do think it adds value to a CV."
Stats NZ data showed over half of New Zealanders, 53 percent, volunteered during March 2025 and of those, 27.6 percent volunteered through an organisation and 40.8 percent volunteered directly for another person.
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The best board games to play (and gift) this summer
Over the holiday period, the right game can make all the difference. So which board games should you try out – and which ones should you gift?
1. Sushi Go Party
This colourful, fast-paced game has great art, and a "menu" that can be changed depending on the number of players (up to eight) and their familiarity with the game.
Players win the game by creating the best combination of cards, depending on what's available, by rotating the cards from player to player like a sushi train. It's easy to learn and relatively cheap.
2. Wavelength
In this party game, teams have to try and guess the location of a hidden target on a spectrum, using a clue from one "psychic" team member. The ends of the spectrum reflect two binaries, such as hot–cold or optional–mandatory, and the target falls somewhere in between.
The closer the team gets to where the psychic thinks the target should go, the more points they score. Wavelength is one of those games where no matter if your team gets it right or wrong, you can expect people to give their two cents.
3. Mysterium and Mysterium Park
In these team games, players play mediums seeking the counsel of another player – a ghost – who gives them clues to important information about murders in the house, including the ghost’s own murder.
The ghost offers the other players tarot cards with abstract artwork with which they must attempt to discern the murder weapon, location and culprit.
4. The Quacks of Quedlinburg
This game sees players take the role of potion makers at the local fair, who must push their luck by drawing ingredients out of a bag to make the best potions without them blowing up in their face. It’s simple to teach and hilarious when someone else blows up their cauldron (although arguably less when it’s you).
5. Modern Art
This is one of the most celebrated games from board game designer luminary Reiner Knizia. Players are art dealers auctioning off beautiful paintings done by five professional artists. Players might even forget to play as they get caught up in simply admiring the pieces they are auctioning off.
Modern Art remains a fiendishly clever game that is easy to learn but hard to master.
6. Heat: Pedal to the Metal
This strategic racing game is based on 1960s Formula 1 racing. The base game boasts four tracks on two gorgeous boards, and lovely little cars that pass each other and risk spinning out around corners.
7. Nemesis
By far the most expensive (and complicated) game on this list, Nemesis can best be described as Alien: the board game.
Players have to move through a spaceship, discovering rooms and items as they go, taking care not to alert the horrific extraterrestrials that have managed to get onto the ship – represented by amazingly designed pieces. It’s a truly tense and fun experience for a full afternoon.
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Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲
I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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