| Detachment against attachment. Appears to be not so possible and
impracticable, Yet in our relationships we experience these two facts quite often.
The need here is to learn to create a detached attitude so that we maintain a certain
balance of mind at all times. Attachment is an experience composed of emotions that
are generated and released in us due to an external stimulation given by presence of
another individual or through his / her memory. It is therefore important for us to
realize that attachment is an emotion.
Detachment on the other hand is awareness of
all the mental processes including the emotions; With this awareness we are able to choose
to allow the emotion positive emotion such as friendliness, instead of attachment, With
the same awareness we can learn to control the emotions of anger, hatred, irritation,
jealousy, revenge, fear, frustration, doubt, etc. Thus it becomes very clear to us
that Attachment is an emotional experience without the control and thus it is unsteady and
unstable state of mind.
Detachment is awareness that enables us to direct the
emotions and hold the mind, so that eventually the mind is trained to be steady and
focused in any activity. In other words, attachment enslaves us and detachment frees
us, It therefore becomes evident that in order to experience positive and productive state
of mind, detachment needs to be cultivated. The question that arises here is
"How do we develop detachment?"
Generally we experience emotion and immediately act on it.
This leaves no scope for the awareness. Hence the first step would be to
learn to become aware of the moment we experience an emotion. Then decide what
to do and then act upon it. |
THE INSTITUTE OF MIND
SCIENCES PAKISTAN 
