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Attachment & Detachment

Yoga teacher Namrata Narula

 

Peace isn’t always easy to come by, but here’s some ideas about how to obtain it

The language of competition is similar to that of warfare,price where you are urged on to fight, viagra 40mg beat them, crush them, stomp on them, blitz them. But is it possible that focusing too much on winning will lower your ability to function at the level that winning demands? Sometimes it’s the fight that weakens and harmony that strengthens. Our body performs at its highest level when there is harmony within. Tension brings the levels down. This is the essence in the game of detachment. If you can master it you will reach elevated levels like never before.

We are taught to procure as much as possible, hold on to it before the other guy takes it away, and even if you have it you continue scrambling for more. The majority of our lives is spent in “climbing the ladder”, looking at future rewards.

Others, however, trust the universe to provide as they tread a path to enlightenment. They focus on the inner life. Our educational experiences have centred on ‘knowing’ rather than ‘feeling’. It is worthwhile to examine what you believe about being successful. Is it material accumulation, money, objects, ownership? Perhaps it’s time to abandon certain entrenched beliefs.

Many feel that detachment is to give up a good life and not have anything. Yet in truth it does not mean you have to sacrifice what you have worked for. When you measure your inner worth by external acquisitions, it’s impossible to feel detached from them. Detachment means freeing yourself from ‘needing’ attachments. You can continue enjoying all the abundance you choose, but with the understanding that without them you will still be fine.

Detachment can be practiced in the realm of relationships as well. This does not involve adopting an indifferent or non-caring attitude. When applied to relationships, it is quite the opposite. You love deeply and unconditionally without being judgmental, respecting others’ choices. Detachment, practiced wisely, can prevent us from becoming emotional slaves or having our relationships break down.

It’s a misconception that you must go out there and rattle cages in order to survive.  Many successful people are those who flow with life, rather than fight it, thus experiencing inner peace, avoiding the struggle to row upstream.

It’s possible to gather strength by flowing with our encounters, learning new ways to process the challenges we come upon. For instance, rather than judging the slow driver ahead of you who is not driving exactly the way you think is right, detach yourself from the idea that he is wrong, flow with him, send a good thought, leave room for him to drive as he pleases and let go of your idea that he must drive differently. Clinging to the fact that things are supposed to work only one way, ‘your way’ – makes you the victim.

 If you depend on someone, it is they who control your life. Replace competition with cooperation. See yourself as someone who functions effectively and happily, when you are not competing.

Without a doubt it is important to compete, be it in sports, academics, your profession, but in the end not everyone can win and it’s really OK not to.

 The rewarding way to keep everything circulating is to “let go.”

Sit in a still place keeping all doors open, follow nature be what it may with no further dreams of fame. A million requirements are resolved. Lie at peace in the moonlight, hear the splashing waters of the stream on the rock. It gives more pleasure than a million coins!

Foyan –  a  Zen Master  says, “Don’t set up limits in boundless openness.”