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"!

THE POWER AND JOY OF FORGIVENESS - PART TWO

 

 One surely must wonder just which vibrational frequency we are suspended in when the heart cannot forgive, and what it is that prevents one from letting go.

Mind In Control

Examine how it feels for you when the mind is in control and cannot forgive another for what they have done or said. The feeling is likened to hate, anger, perhaps frustration. Plus the fact that when one is unforgiving, the notion of "winning" with the particular situation is often present.

Notice how much mental energy is consumed when one is continually in this state, and how often the thoughts of the incident keep on replaying within the mind. This causes more and more sores to fester within us. One wonders which vibrational frequency we might be suspended in when the heart connot forgive, and just what it is that prevents us from letting go.

Tests And Initations

Since all souls must be strengthened on the path to initiation, it is reasonable to conclude that all must be tested. Events will present themselves in our lives for two reasons - karmic debts or a dharmic destiny. This means that circumstances will arise that evolve into Tests of Initiation. When these occur, such tests are always orchestrated by the Higher Self. Therefore, there are many situations that can occur at any given moment to place one in a situation for advancement and learning. And often the tests will come through individuals we least suspect.

So, the saying goes like this... "You can always tell the level of spiritual mastery you have attained by the level of the test or opponent who will be brought to you." Very wise words from a Master.

Now the logical conclusion to that statement is... The greater the test, the greater the compliment for the person whose soul is being tested. Looking at things from this perspective then, is our most hated "enemy" or "opponent" perhaps our greatest friend? Is this individual placed in our life to become our greatest teacher and help us learn the lessons we still need to learn? It is surely worth thinking about.

Testing the soul is always of a higher nature and these tests ALWAYS concern ones mastery of the Universal Laws. Afterall, that is why each of us has come to Earth. To achieve Mastery. And the activities we are involved with are only part of the education and illusion of life in this third dimension.

Learning Our Lessons

The weaknesses within our souls determine the lessons we will be faced with. These weaker patterns will influence the arena (or situation) where a soul will be placed. All this happens to provide us with the necessary opportunities to practice strengthening that part of our personality that needs it.

Now if a person does not choose to accept the challenge because of former habits etc., he or she will most certainly be faced with the test again in the future. And the tests will be repeated until the lessons are learned. But each time the test appears again it will come with new faces and each scenario will also bring lessons ten times more exaggerated than before. This is to allow the individual many more opportunites to practice the lessons until they are learned.

However, once the lessons are learned, and we are actually behaving and functioning on a higher level, the soul will radiate this higher frequency of Light and will never have to undergo those particular tests again.

Friend Or Foe

Consider again the unforgiving situation and the person who has offended and hurt you... As their deeds have helped and served to raise your soul to a higher level, isn´t that individual perhaps among those who have come to assist you on your path and not one that came to harm you?

Then again, no deeds or words from another can ever harm us unless we give our power away. Only we, ourselves, can harm ourselves. So rise above limitations and illusions and you will never give your power away because the Light will always be there to serve and protect you.

Therefore, if we forgive another for the illusions that appear to be so intense, and move our focus inward to master the lessons of the tests, we can then progress on the pathway to the Light at a much faster pace.

Forgiving Oneself

It is very important to remember to forgive oneself for any negative behaviour or actions from both the present and the past. Without doing so we are only tightening the bonds that bind us here in this third dimensional world instead of moving onward and upwards to our higher destinies. Destinies for the soul´s continuing unfoldment.

If one is having difficulty in forgiving oneself, then be warned and become aware of how clever the little ego is. This is the best way the ego can keep us trapped in the world of illusion. That same little ego believes this world is the "reality" or "the all in all" totality of existence, and is fighting for its own survival.

Soul In Bondage

When we cannot master forgiveness, the reality is that the other person holds power over our soul, simply by keeping it vibrating at a lower level and thereby holding it in bondage. This will continue until we decide to "let go" and forgive. So we are not in any way winning a "battle" here, we are actually losing by giving "the enemy" the authority to hold onto the ties that bind us. What is the solution? LET GO!! Experience the joy and freedom in letting go and forgiving.

By letting go and not allowing another to imprison ones soul will accelerate us into a higher state of consciousness and this shift in consciousness brings with it a happier, lighter feeling and fills the heart and soul with new hope and joy and freedom.

Wisdom From A Master

"Let go of all hatred and anger and say thank you for the lessons and the opportunities to raise your soul´s vibrational frequency into the Light. Without such an experience you would never be self-realized. Then love your opponent for making you the Master you are today. See your "enemy" as your greatest friend, and rejoice that you have been sent such powerful teachers for they shall deliver you your Liberation."