More on the attachment problem (part 2)

In yesterday's post about the subject of attachment, I tried to develop the idea that it is best to strive for connection while avoiding attachment and that the best way to achieve this is by developing your mind through meditation. I feel that some further explanation is needed.

Firstly, I want to make clear that connected non-attachment should not be seen as a goal. It is an ideal. Let's assume that like everyone else, you have some combination of attachment and connectedness. Incidentally, these are only two attributes of many which can be used to describe you/your state of being at this point in time. Now it seems reasonable enough to assume that a higher degree of connectedness will be desirable, all else equal. Likewise, given a sufficient degree of connectedness, a lower attachment level will represent an improvement as well.

And so we may strive to improve ourselves to become happier people, to live as part of the great oneness that this world actually presents. I believe everything is connected already, thus when I speak of connectedness above, I should really call it awareness of connectedness.My (contestable) personal view of things is that by becoming aware and being mindful we discover the connectedness that is already there and feel it. I thus offer the hypothesis that awareness leads to the feeling of connectedness and is the more profound value.

Given that we have an awareness of these issues, we will attempt to move along the path towards happiness in the moment. But this path is a weary one, and pretty long. There is a good chance that we never reach our destination, or that we get stuck, because obstacles are in the way. So there is a danger that we deem the goal as unattainable, yet value our present life less, because we know that we are unlikely to reach nirvana. Courage to face life's challenges, humbleness and gratefulness are further attributes which we would like to attain to help us with this problem. But there are no shortcuts (actually, there are a few tricks to get further along the path, but they only go so far. Will discuss this in a future posting).

Besides the prospect of the path itself disspiriting you, a second danger is to do with wanting it too much. Wanting it too much can actually get you further away from getting it. I was thinking of this and came up with the metaphor which I have sketched in the picture. Pulling the rope which is attached to the man makes no sense. It will just wrap tighter, and constrict mobility.

The solution to this one could be to want it, but for the right reasons. Another way out would be to negate the categories of wanting and not wanting and attempt something else: let's just call it being. Maybe it boils down to the wisdom of "change what you can, accept what you cannot". In other words, feel the connection to the oneness, playing your part in system of life (change what you can) and always accept what is at this moment, because resisting reality is futile (accept what you cannot change).

Attachment stands in the way of acceptance. Attachment leads to the desire for things to be different from what they are. Increasing acceptance will help to appreciate things for what they are while liberating us from the burdens that too much attachment creates for us.

Let me recap my main points, as I would like to be understood precisely:
1. The road is rocky
2. Don't let that bring you down.
3. Appreciate what you have, accept what you cannot change.
4. Connectedness with non-attachment translates loosely to acceptance with awareness, which is a better formula, because it is more inclusive.
5. Attachment is resistance against the present.

I still have some problems with the radical message that is implied if my words above are taken to their conclusion....part three coming soon :)