It’s always fascinating how attached people can be to material things, unwilling to give them up. When you really dig deep, there are plenty of ways to simplify life, live on a lower income, or even retire early. But the attachment to goods and the constant need to consume often holds people back from making those changes.
"replace the word NON-attachment with RIGHT attachment" This is far more digestible and practical for those seeking a proactive yet well balanced life. Great work, Baird.
100%. And then individual interpretation is also crucial, at least for my part. Few "enlightened" men and women in the past would have, I imagine, claimed their way is the only way.
Those darn kitties and puppies! They worm their way into the central chambers of our hearts and refuse to budge. They have strong Buddha nature. Hence the joy, and the pain.
Hope you're doing well despite the strange days we're living through, Michelle.
As a former amateur Buddhist (not to brag), I think the idea of non-attachment means recognizing that all things, including ourselves and all that we love, are impermanent. It's not an instruction not to care about things, it's an instruction that regardless of your caring, things will go their own way.
Buddhism is not IMO about not caring.
Here's an extract from Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Tao Te Ching. I believe Daoism is a source from which Buddhism flowed. It does not instruct people to be bad or not to care, but it might read that way at first.
When the great Tao is forgotten,
goodness and piety appear.
When the body's intelligence declines,
cleverness and knowledge step forth.
When there is no peace in the family,
filial piety begins.
When the country falls into chaos,
patriotism is born.
Throw away holiness and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times happier.
Throw away morality and justice,
and people will do the right thing.
Throw away industry and profit,
and there won't be any thieves.
If these three aren't enough,
just stay at the center of the circle
and let all things take their course.
I've never been more aware of the wisdom of this than since October 7th, when I was forced to the realization that my beliefs were not those of others with whom I'd been allied.
It feels like a more honest approach than cutting ourselves off completely. We need those connections to feel alive, but it’s about finding a balance so we’re not drowning in them either. I also love the idea that it’s not something you figure out once and for all. It’s a constant adjustment, something we’re always learning as we go.
Right attachment seems like one of the key ingredients of an Informed life, where we practice awareness of these attachments and mindfully reflect on which ones to foster.
Mindful reflection indeed Jesse. I wonder how much time your average adult reserves in their busy schedule for such important thinking. Probably little or none. Oh well.
I shared a similar interpretation as you did at the start of your article on the definition of non-attachment, i.e.: "NO attachment. Detachment. Disconnection. Not caring."
But having hung around with some more Buddhist folks, I get the impression that interpretation isn't quite right; the state of non-attachment is acknowledging attachment but not being 'bound' by the attachment. So for example, if I experience a disappointing setback or rejection, it's both recognising and accepting the emotions that it would generate, and then not being so attached to that emotion that it weighs me down.
That said, I do agree that 'non-attachment' as its currently known can be a bit confusing!
English lacks a lot of the nuances of other languages where there are many more words for varieties of the same thing. Makes it a little imprecise and clunky sometimes.
It’s always fascinating how attached people can be to material things, unwilling to give them up. When you really dig deep, there are plenty of ways to simplify life, live on a lower income, or even retire early. But the attachment to goods and the constant need to consume often holds people back from making those changes.
Great point, Bette. I've always been grateful that I've never wanted a lot of stuff.
I've always been fairly minimalistic and over the last few years I've become even more so.
"replace the word NON-attachment with RIGHT attachment" This is far more digestible and practical for those seeking a proactive yet well balanced life. Great work, Baird.
Thank you Sam. Getting the instructions right is pretty important in most things. The best teachers do it.
100%. And then individual interpretation is also crucial, at least for my part. Few "enlightened" men and women in the past would have, I imagine, claimed their way is the only way.
Exactly. I always revered the experts whose attitude was: "This is what I would do. You may differ."
Don't think it's possible to detach from my cats. The pain when they go is engulfing; I know that. But meanwhile, the joy, the joy, the pleasure...
Those darn kitties and puppies! They worm their way into the central chambers of our hearts and refuse to budge. They have strong Buddha nature. Hence the joy, and the pain.
Hope you're doing well despite the strange days we're living through, Michelle.
As a former amateur Buddhist (not to brag), I think the idea of non-attachment means recognizing that all things, including ourselves and all that we love, are impermanent. It's not an instruction not to care about things, it's an instruction that regardless of your caring, things will go their own way.
Buddhism is not IMO about not caring.
Here's an extract from Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Tao Te Ching. I believe Daoism is a source from which Buddhism flowed. It does not instruct people to be bad or not to care, but it might read that way at first.
When the great Tao is forgotten,
goodness and piety appear.
When the body's intelligence declines,
cleverness and knowledge step forth.
When there is no peace in the family,
filial piety begins.
When the country falls into chaos,
patriotism is born.
Throw away holiness and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times happier.
Throw away morality and justice,
and people will do the right thing.
Throw away industry and profit,
and there won't be any thieves.
If these three aren't enough,
just stay at the center of the circle
and let all things take their course.
I've never been more aware of the wisdom of this than since October 7th, when I was forced to the realization that my beliefs were not those of others with whom I'd been allied.
Great comments Mitch. Thank you!
"Right attachment?"
I love it!
It feels like a more honest approach than cutting ourselves off completely. We need those connections to feel alive, but it’s about finding a balance so we’re not drowning in them either. I also love the idea that it’s not something you figure out once and for all. It’s a constant adjustment, something we’re always learning as we go.
Happy new week friend .........
Thanks Neela! You love it 'cause you "get" it! ✌️
Right attachment seems like one of the key ingredients of an Informed life, where we practice awareness of these attachments and mindfully reflect on which ones to foster.
Mindful reflection indeed Jesse. I wonder how much time your average adult reserves in their busy schedule for such important thinking. Probably little or none. Oh well.
I shared a similar interpretation as you did at the start of your article on the definition of non-attachment, i.e.: "NO attachment. Detachment. Disconnection. Not caring."
But having hung around with some more Buddhist folks, I get the impression that interpretation isn't quite right; the state of non-attachment is acknowledging attachment but not being 'bound' by the attachment. So for example, if I experience a disappointing setback or rejection, it's both recognising and accepting the emotions that it would generate, and then not being so attached to that emotion that it weighs me down.
That said, I do agree that 'non-attachment' as its currently known can be a bit confusing!
English lacks a lot of the nuances of other languages where there are many more words for varieties of the same thing. Makes it a little imprecise and clunky sometimes.