Detachment

[Suzanne]

Maybe the problem is one of dualism, thinking we're apart from God. Buddhists say that unhappiness comes from getting attached to things, people as nothing lasts. But an attachment to God is a sort of oxymoron, as all things are God, including us. So how can we not be attached to something we are already a part of, that everything is a part of.

[Olga]

Sybil wrote: "I just finished chapter 2, and as I was reading along, I suddenly thought, "Wait a minute! Why didn't you pursue your idea? Why did you drop it for an old saying?"

Sybil,
I was thinking about the exact same thing. Clinging to our idea of God can be just as pitiful and limiting as clinging to our attachments, material or people, because let's face it, our ideas of God aren't perfect. We cannot comprehend completely.

I can see how we can be completely committed to this search (lifelong) of understanding the Divine and acting in line with our understanding, but this is not the same as being attached to our idea of God.

[Olga]

I was thinking about detachment and renunciation along the same lines:
- you're giving up what's unnecessary for your growth and development (carving away what's extra),
- you're giving up what's keeping you from being a good companion (i.e. keeping you worried, scared, preoccupied with your own sweet self or your self image, etc.)
- you're giving up from desire for the better rather than fear, and
- you're not expecting results. You're working on it but not expecting the results.

This last thing seems to me quite tricky, but it might be very rewarding. Working on giving something up and not expecting it would be even giving you a peace of mind? how challenging, how exciting.

[Olga]

Sybil wrote: And consequently, puts life back its proper place as well, where it can be lived and enjoyed.
That's great! I was wondering how to make that connection. Thanks!