THE STRUGGLE FOR DETACHMENT

Such an interesting word, "detachment", and with so many connotations. Let´s take a look at the different meanings found in the dictionary... Unfasten, Remove, Impartiality, non Prejudice, Unaffected, non Judgemental.... but what about "Freedom"?

One of the most important things I noticed in my studies for spiritual development was that a person must be able to free oneself from all forms of worldly attachment. In other words to release oneself from the ties that bind us to the 3rd dimension.

These ties can be the attachment to material things; or emotional involvement in other people´s circumstances; or not preserving a balanced state of mind; or not remaining impartial toward criticism; or not controlling the desire to purchase unnecessary articles and so on.

I think the greatest enemy for attaining any level of detachment would have to be "desires". Our desires for this and that are such a handicap on the path to "enlightenment". Desire is a human frailty and an extremely valuable weapon for the ego (personality). As long as the ego succeeds in encouraging us to fulfil our desires, we all remain puppets of the lower self.

A Challenge
There is absolutely nothing wrong with owning and enjoying material goodies. The secret is that these "goodies" may not have any negative influence or hold over us or our life´s mission. In other words being blessed with riches should not in any way hinder our progression on the path of spiritual unfoldment. But, if you look around and think about it, just how many people with these material riches show any interest for the spiritual world?

Actually, one of the biggest tests in this world is being able to tackle and balance the circumstance of being materially wealthy and at the same time devote time and interest to the soul. It is, in truth, an enormous challenge. This is because the peronality (ego) of the person is so involved and influenced by its material welfare - no matter what - that life becomes almost a stress factor.

Possible Bitterness
On the other side of the coin, we have people that are born into extremely poor circumstances. Their lives can be very difficult to abide. But they are at least free from the burden of material attachment. Their challenge mainly lies in acceptance of and working through their difficulties, without giving into feelings of envy and bitterness.

Without often realizing it, these people have an advantage over most, because they are right in the "opportunity zone" to look beyond this world with its material trappings, on to a higher meaning and purpose with life. They are not so self indulging as there is hardly time or "supplies" for that.

The Mind´s Influence
Now the mind is a bundle of desires. This is because the Mental Body, which is one of the lower bodies in which the soul functions, is, together with the Emotional Body, closest to the personality and thereby very much under the influence of the ego. As you may possibly know, the ego is never, and I mean NEVER satisfied. Therefore it is constantly on the lookout for something new to purchase or possess or even control.

I believe it is extremely important for us to be watchful and aware of just how much the little ego "plays" with us. It would seem we become like puppets or toys for its immense and insatiable appetite for desiring things. So the work ahead of us is to remove the "threads" of desire, one by one if necessary, and thereby controlling our desires, we will automatically become the master over our various attachments, having begun to realize just how unnecessary most of them are.

Personal Attachments
Moving along now to another aspect of attachment which has to do with our feelings for people, places and events. This is both a touchy and sensitive aspect regarding attachment because it deals with our personal feelings.

Events that happen in our lives, whether happy or sorrowful, should always be received and treated with the same state of balance or calm. To actually understand this, again I must emphasize the importance of identifying oneself with the soul. Should one not agree or be able to accept this necessity, then there will be absolutely no understanding or appreciation for the lesson. This is because everything that happens in our lives, in one way or another, is a lesson to be learned. A lesson to develop and expand our souls evolution. And that´s the truth of it.

Emotional Pain
The hardest lesson to learn regarding detachment is the recognition and acceptance of the possible "why" such a traumatic event occurred in ones life. To be able to hold ones focus and try to "see" the bigger picture surrounding the circumstance. Because there are no accidents and there are no coincidences happening in our world, inspite of what each of us might think.

Emotional pain is one of our greatest teachers. This suffering helps bring us back to "square one" from where we have allowed ourselves to sidetrack during the daily humdrum of life. Back from the forgetting about what our purpose in life actually is. Surely we have all heard the expression "no pain, no gain". What I have talked about here is certainly worth reflecting upon. By doing so will be of great assistance to many.

Letting Go
Relationships are also worth considering here. We must respect each person´s individuality. Although it is a wonderful thing to love another being, it is at the same time wrong to become unduly attached. Whether one wants to believe it or not, strong attachment to another is fundamentally selfish and has always an ego motive involved, when looking deeper into the emotion. Be it family, friends or lovers, the teaching still applies. Love unconditionally. True love gives freedom and joy to both parties.

So, whilst you are giving sympathy and kindness and understanding to fellow beings that are suffering, do not allow your emotions to drag you down or sweep you along like a piece of straw on the wind. Always contain the inner balance. Be helpful by all means, but remain detached and harmonious not allowing events to disturb your inner peace. This is the secret to discovering and mastering the quality of "Detachment"!