Monday, December 10, 2012

Non-attachment - Things and Thoughts

Both in my yoga training and my shamanic journey, non-attachment is a principle of living a good life.  I have begun to dispose of many possessions and enjoy doing so. The fewer possessions I have, the less chaotic my life becomes.  But there is more to non-attachment.  Now I am striving to become non-attached to outcomes.  I do so pretty well in some cases, but in others, not so well.  When I strive to accomplish some goal and it doesn't happen quickly enough to suit me, I tend to lose my enthusiasm.  Learning to enjoy the doing and let the outcome be as it will, is not easy.  Another aspect of non-attachment, is allowing things to be as they are and not getting hung up on wishing things were different, becoming attached to something becoming different.  A friend's favorite mantra: "It is what it is."  So you see, it's not just a matter of being attached to things that causes unrest - being attached to  thoughts, can also cause pain and suffering.  How do we learn to be non-attached?  Practice, Practice, Practice - letting go.

No comments:

Post a Comment