Healthy and Unhealthy Non-attachment
by Atman Nityananda
Healthy and Unhealthy Non-attachment
Some distinguish non-attachment from detachment. I consider these terms as equal; nevertheless, I classify them into healthy conscious detachment or non-attachment and unhealthy detachment or the detachment mechanism to cope with painful emotions.
Unhealthy Non-attachment or Detachment
Detachment or non-attachment is not about being disconnected from our emotions, being emotionally cold, or not feeling anything (e.g., feeling absolutely nothing when your true love dies). It is not about being unempathetic, unaffectionate, or uncaring about others. Insensitivity is a characteristic of a tamasic mind or can happen due to unconscious repression or suppression.
Detachment is not about stopping the feeling of our emotions by forcibly repressing them due to fear of experiencing painful emotions or feeling unworthy and dirty when some negative thoughts, desires, or emotions arise in us. It can also be an unconscious repression of emotions as a defense mechanism that protects us from feeling emotions that are too painful and hurtful.
Healthy Non-attachment or Detachment
Detachment and Thoughts
To detach from thoughts is to take a step back, to stop identifying with them or getting lost in them, and to observe them consciously. To detach from emotions is to step back and remain a silent witness without getting fully involved in them. In reality, when we pay full attention to thoughts or withdraw our attention and focus it on the silence beyond thoughts, then the flow of thoughts stops. However, when thoughts are emotionally charged, it is difficult to detach (stop identifying) from thoughts or to stop the flow of thoughts, because emotions want to express themselves strongly and, to achieve this, they need to use thoughts and imagination.
Detachment means not identifying with thoughts, not being interested in thoughts and their context, not being seduced by thoughts, and not taking them as true, as reality, or as real.
Detachment and Emotions
To detach from emotions is to step back and consciously observe them without completely identifying with them. To observe does not mean to disconnect from them, but to feel them attentively without identifying and losing oneself in them, and with the intention of becoming familiar with them and knowing them fully. To detach oneself from emotions is to take a step back and remain a silent witness without getting fully involved in them.
Detachment means not identifying with emotions, not being interested in emotions, not being seduced by emotions, and not taking them as ourselves or as reality.
Detachment and Sensory Objects
To detach ourselves from objects and sensory experiences, we must be attentive and remain aware of the inner silence. Furthermore, we should be careful not to allow our attention to be totally turned outward, losing contact with the inner silence, and also to be watchful of the mind to prevent it from thinking uncontrollably about them. Because through identification with thinking, attachment and desire are strengthened, and the inner Self is forgotten.
Detachment means:
not identifying with objects and sensory experiences,
not being interested in them,
not being seduced by them, and
not considering them important and necessary for our happiness, fulfillment, and well-being.
Detachment and Pleasures (sex, food, drinks, smoke, gambling, etc.)
The ‘secret’ to a plentiful life, a life of harmony, happiness and contentment is to have a sattvic mind free from desires and ego and to live in every moment in conscious contact with our true Self (Consciousness).
🌺 Peace, Love, Harmony
atmannityanada 