Putting an End to All Attachments? – Modern Koans

Question: Why should there be cessation of expectations and attachments?

Desires lead to attachments – those to expectations and expectations, due to nothing else but impermanent nature of life, lead to suffering. But desires, attachments and expectations can also lead to pleasant feelings. So, what are the arguments as to why there should be cessation of these?

My response: Go ahead, I dare you. Stop all expectations and attachments! Stop expecting the stove to burn you if you put your hand in the flame. Go ahead. Stop expecting pain when you step in front of a train. Stop loving your parents, or your friends, or your partner. That should go well, right?

I don’t mean to berate you, but I want to bring attention to the nature of the question. It’s a good one in that it points to an absurd interpretation of the Buddhist lexicon. The language of Buddhism tends to be pithy and often gets oversimplified. This is a hurdle everyone needs to get over.

Is it a matter of choosing the right attachments and expectations?
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Expectations and attachments are indeed root causes for suffering. But as you pointed out they are also sources of satisfaction. What’s the difference? Is it a matter of choosing the right attachments and expectations? I don’t think so. But is it necessary to take an all or nothing approach?  Is that even possible? If it were, is it desirable?

Suffering plays a role in liberation.
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Suffering plays a role in liberation. When we notice dissatisfaction and deduce its causes, we gain insight. But the path away from suffering and towards liberation is not a finite one. We don’t “get there” to find everlasting freedom.

Each moment is a fresh start, an opportunity to make new choices. Each choice is a chance to reduce suffering.  Each choice is a chance to manage our own expectations. Each choice reminds us that there is no such thing as eternal happiness.

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Modern Koans is an ongoing series that recognizes that good questions are often more important then their answers.

The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man. ― G.K. Chesterton

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The post Putting an End to All Attachments? – Modern Koans written by Andrew Furst appeared on Andrew Furst.