Detachment Detachment -Only the Soul is capable of functioning in the mental, vital, physical planes like that. -Detachment is a status of consciousness beyond the scope of mind. Those who function with the mind as the central instrument cannot hope to grow detached. -Detachment comes when equality is established. (The process is to constantly try to lift vital, mental acts to the plane of the Soul till one comes to function from the Soul centre, rather soul begins to function in one through the silent mind, quiet heart and calm nerves.) -Mental attachment is shown in either pride or vanity over doing a thing apart from its use value. Emotional attachment is sentiment. Physical attachment can be illustrated when one is not able to sleep in a new place or write with a pen other than the one he is used to. (MSS Compilation) Equality of Being vs.
Detachment Detachment and Life Response:
Contribution to a Critical Project Analysis: Non-attachment to an item one has focused on attracts positive conditions, fulfilling one's intent.
Detachment that Overcomes
Delay That is precisely what occurred the other day when I was waiting on a payment so I could send a link to a client to start using our web-based software application. Rather than worry about the matter, I simply lost myself in an important research project. When I had tried several times to find out the status of the payment, there was no tracking information available. But after I buried myself in the research work, and then later casually checked the status again, I learned that it was moving to fruition.
Now I saw that as a result of my
inattention to the problem, by focusing on another
matter, I was able to attract the payment that previously
had been in limbo. Then there was a further development.
Though the payment was now clearly in transit, would it
actually arrive? After all, there was reason to be skeptical
since it had been delayed several times, and anything could
still happen. However, once again, rather than worry about
the important payment, I buried myself in another work. This
time it wasn't the research work, but the cleaning of my
bathroom floor! And so I cleared out the room, gathered
together the best cleaning utensils and materials, and
scraped and scrubbed in ways I had not done in that room in
years. Specifically, my goal was to clean out the
accumulated grit that had gathered in the recesses of the
bathroom tiles, requiring considerable physical effort on my
part.
After completing the strenuous task, I collapsed back onto my couch,
feeling both exhaustion and a sense of accomplishment. Then
a few moments later, I heard a knock at the door. I knew
just who it was. It was the FedEx delivery person with the
longed for, often delayed payment. And yet when I examined
the time, I realized that it had came an hour earlier than
expected, indicating that the physical effort of cleaning
the bathroom not only attracted the payments' arrival, but
caused it to come earlier than what was indicated on the
online tracking system. That struck me as a further
indicator of luck.
When we shift our focus away from worrying about an issue or
matter, and instead put our energies elsewhere -- e.g. by
making a full, even exhaustive effort in another direction
-- positive conditions quickly move in our direction. More
often than not, the thing we had hoped for but then put aside
is suddenly realized.
Just as focusing on an illness can intensify it, so too
worrying about a matter tends to delay it. Yet focusing on
something very much the opposite, such as hard work in an
entirely different domain not only overcome our negative
emotions, but attract positive conditions.
For years, I have used this approach to overcome
anxiety, worry, and delay about a matter; and in nearly
every instance, it has worked its magic!
Beingness
and
Life Response
There are powerful
behaviors that attract
sudden good fortune.
Among them are having an
intense aspiration for
something to come about,
moving to a higher level
of psychological
strength, increasing
one’s personal level of
cleanliness and
orderliness, and
eliminating negative
attitudes toward life,
work, and others. When
you take to any of these
in a higher order,
positive conditions
quickly present
themselves.
Here I will focus on
some of the more
spiritual-oriented
techniques that have
equal if not greater
power to attract the
miraculous. In
particular, I will
target those
psychological approaches
that issue from
Beingness: that state of
stillness where we are
silent observers of the
world, not compelled to
action or reaction.
Don’t
React --
From a
cosmic perspective,
Beingness
is the Stability and
Calm behind all things:
the Stillness out of
which Energy emerged to
manifest a universe of
forms. We too have
access to Beingness in
our own lives. One
approach is to practice
the technique of
“non-reaction.” I.e.
when any form of
intensity comes our way
-- whether from another
person or from the
conditions of life -- we
simply do not respond.
That not only brings a
level of peace to the
atmosphere, but attracts
positive conditions.
The approach is
simple enough: when
someone expresses a
thought or emotion,
particularly when it
touches our
sensibilities, appearing
negative in thought or
feeling, we should not
react. The same for any
other intensity or
disturbance that comes
our way. For example, if
your spouse returns home
irritated and directs
those energies towards
you, remain still,
despite the onslaught.
Do not react with
emotion, which will only
intensity and further
disturb the atmosphere,
(and elicit further
negative response).
Likewise, if your boss
abuses you, a
provocative news story
appears on TV, or your
children cloyingly
demand your attention,
do not react with
commensurate intensity.
Each time you take that
higher tact, not only
will the sense of
balance be maintained,
but sudden good fortune
can follow. E.g., your
spouse may suddenly
surprise you with good
news, a boss may
withdraw all vitriol for
weeks on end from that
point forward, a
negative news event will
suddenly turn positive,
and so forth. If you can
also repress your
reactive thoughts and
feelings, then positive
conditions are likely to
follow.
Don’t
Assert, Initiate --
Beingness
is the ability to look
out on the world as
“Silent Witness,”
observing all that
occurs through calm
detachment. You care
about what is before
you; you consider it
mindfully; but you
remain stationed within
as silent witness to
all. In that state, you
do not initiate or
assert, but wait for
life to take the
initiative. You can then
respond as necessary.
Practically speaking
this method of
non-assertion can be
practiced from the
mental to physical
levels.
At the mental level, try
to refrain from
expressing a thought or
opinion, allowing others
to speak first. This
will enable the flow of
events to take their
right course. Similarly,
if you are in a
discussion or
communication, try to
withhold what is on your
mind. What may very well
happen is that soon
after the other person
will express the very
idea you wanted to
convey. This is to
practice a form of
restraint known as
“Silent Will.”
We can also practice
non-assertion and
restraint at the
physical plane -- i.e.
at the level of action.
For example, in the
course of our day, we
can take a moment to
consider the utility of
sending out an email, or
making a call, or
otherwise communicating
with someone. When we
do, we might find that
much of it is trivial,
or egotistic and
self-serving, or a way
to stimulate ourselves
through social contact,
or is simply unnecessary
in the wider scheme of
things. At least 50% of
our actions are of this
kind. For the spiritual
individual, such
initiatives tend to
deplete one’s energies,
while producing little
utilitarian result.
Moreover, each time we
restrain ourselves this
way, positive conditions
tend to present
themselves.
Don’t
Complain --
Beingness
also implies not taking
to the negative. One is
stationed within as
witness to the world,
avoiding wrong action.
One example is to view a
problem or challenge
outside one’s self and
not complain about it.
Complaining is a sign
of a wanting attitude,
psychological weakness,
and wrong response. A
spirit-oriented
individual on the other
hand gains power from
right attitude, inner
strength, and positive
response, not complaint
or grievance. Therefore,
the next time you feel
the urge to blame
someone for something,
restrain yourself. Not
only will you create a
more harmonious
atmosphere, but powerful
positive conditions will
present themselves.
For example, one man
stopped complaining
about his spouse’s lack
of organization in
dealing with her
finances -- a problem
that had persisted for
years. Several days
later, he was startled
to learn that she
suddenly found a
financial institution to
handle all of her
financial arrangements,
while substantially
reducing her debt. It
was a Godsend, ending
years of disorganization
and frustration.
Accept
All --
Finally,
the spirit-oriented
individual expresses
Beingness -- i.e. of the
Being, or ‘Sat’ in
Sanskrit -- by accepting
and embracing everything
that comes his way. If a
boss asks him to come in
and work on a weekend in
addition to the normal
workweek, he simply
accepts without
challenge. In fact, one
man did this very thing
while working at a
retail outlet,
attracting the biggest
sale of his life. At
each point that we
embrace the given
conditions of life, we
move to a higher plane
and open to the infinite
potentials of life.
There is
a nice example of this
in the film
The Devil
Wears Prada.
There a young aspiring
journalist accepts the
fact that she has to
work temporarily in a
different field to
sustain herself on the
way to achieving her
career goals. As a
result, life responds
and she secures a job as
a secretary for a world
famous fashion
mogul. Moreover, at each
point the young heroine
embraces the demands of
her powerful, often
ruthless boss, she rises
up further still. Even
when the young woman’s
sensitivities are
challenged -- e.g., she
is asked to change her
personal wardrobe and
reduce her physical
weight, a humiliating
request indeed -- she
embraces it, catapulting
her to the very top of
her profession. That is
the power of embracing
the all, reflecting the
spiritual dimension of
Beingness. To accept all that comes is to embrace the universe of possibilities. It is to move from one’s limited domain to a wider sphere where our hopes and dreams are realized. It is to shift from the turbulence of life to the stillness and stability within. It is to express the spiritual dimension of Being in our everyday lives, attracting extraordinary circumstance from the world around us.
The Power of Restraint in Small Moments In the course of the day, there are countless opportunities to rail against those things we do not agree with or like. It could be another's behavior, a report in the newspaper, a comment from a tv reporter, or a remark by a friend, relative, or spouse. At each point we refrain from reacting, we take a powerful step in consciousness. Through non-reaction, we block the release of negative energies, and set loose positive ones that attract good fortune. It is at this crucial crossroads moment, when our vital being want to lash out and react, that we can practice stillness and inner restraint. It is in that moment that we can feel calm in our heart and emotions, letting the potential antagonist vibration move on. It is an indicator that we are building up inner strength and spiritual power; for the first law of spirit is stillness and being, in which we silently observe the world without reacting to alluring stimuli, particularly those that rub our sensitivities the wrong way. All progress then begins with these small moments, which we can then build upon to change the lower part of our nature.
Don’t React
The approach is
simple enough: when
someone expresses a
thought or emotion,
particularly when it
touches our
sensibilities, appearing
negative in thought or
feeling, we should not
react. The same for any
other intensity or
disturbance that comes
our way. For example, if
your spouse returns home
irritated and directs
those energies towards
you, remain still,
despite the onslaught.
Do not react with
emotion, which will only
intensity and further
disturb the atmosphere,
(and elicit further
negative response).
Likewise, if your boss
abuses you, a
provocative news story
appears on TV, or your
children cloyingly
demand your attention,
do not react with
commensurate intensity.
Each time you take that
higher tact, not only
will the sense of
balance be maintained,
but sudden good fortune
can follow. E.g., your
spouse may suddenly
surprise you with good
news, a boss may
withdraw all vitriol for
weeks on end from that
point forward, a
negative news event will
suddenly turn positive,
and so forth. If you can
also repress your
reactive thoughts and
feelings, then positive
conditions are likely to
follow.
Reaction in Pursuit of Happyness And yet I believe he could have made it much easier on himself if at several points had he not reacted with such intensity. He would get angry, fight over being in line, toss things around, etc. etc. Rather than pushing through some of these situations, he could have stationed himself in calm and silence at key points and attracted the result without the pain. That is one of the reasons I wrote the article above. To indicate the life response power of NON-REACTION. When others, circumstance rub us the wrong way, we should hold back from reacting. It takes strength of nerves to do it, but after a while, it can become a simple routine. The alternative, of reaction, is to traverse a path of continuous difficulty.
Hallmark of
True Individuality is Non-Reacting Quality
Non-reaction; Overcoming
Frustration
Difficulty of Non-Reaction, and
Yoga
Negative
Response to Overreaction Detachment and Integral
Yoga Detachment is a capacity to function in a plane without itself being part of it. Only the Soul is capable of functioning in the mental, vital, physical planes like that. The highest reach for the mind in this direction is impartiality, for the vital forgetting the object of attachment and for the physical detachment is to move physically away from the object of attachment. These parts of being are not meant for these. To make detachment 100% possible, attachment in every realm is to go, even the attachment to the Divine. Even on that pretext that vibration must be shed. The three successive preliminary conditions for commencing Integral Yoga are Renunciation, Equality and Oneness. Detachment comes when equality is established. The process is to constantly try to lift vital, mental acts to the plane of the Soul till one comes to function from the Soul centre, rather soul begins to function in one through the silent mind, quiet heart and calm nerves. Mind helps this process if it acquires fuller knowledge of the processes of its present method and a stronger will to put that greater knowledge into practice. The emotional centre can similarly help if it overgrows the need of a certain event that makes for attachment as an experience. If the centre is fairly strong it can reject the experience in future in as much as it has overgrown the need for that experience. If it is weak, the centre must quickly exhaust that experience by passing through it. The physical consciousness has its own being and it primarily acts for its own preservation. As and when this preservation is in jeopardy the physical consciousness puts the mind aside and acts from its own knowledge to preserve the body. This is illustrated by people saving themselves from fire accidents, drowning etc and not knowing how they escaped. The body knows how to protect itself and does it perfectly when needed. For detachment to be possible at the physical level, the body must be penetrated by the higher consciousness and the body should know there is nothing outside from which it needs to protect itself. This is possible only when the light lodges in the physical. In short the mental, vital, physical centres must either reject or exhaust the need to go through the experiences which they now enjoy. The test for having achieved this is equality. EXCERCISE : - It is easy for one to know most of the areas of his attachment. Mental attachment is shown in either pride or vanity over doing a thing apart from its use value. Emotional attachment is sentiment. Physical attachment can be illustrated when one is not able to sleep in a new place or write with a pen other than the one he is used to. Make a full list of all the activities to which one is strongly attached. Choose one for mental attachment another for sentiment and a third one for physical attachment. Call Mother and establish her. Offer Her all that you are and all that you are going to do. Examine the nature, form and layers of one of the attachments. Recollect the history of its formation. Offer all that passes before your mind to Mother who has responded to you. This is the first part. The second is to examine your nature and its needs that make this attachment possible. Know this second part but do not take it up in the first stage. On examination you will find that many aspects of this attachments are silly, some are needless and nothing is indispensable. Examine them in the three aspects of mind, vital and physical. After the examination and the understanding offer all these ingredients to Mother. If possible offer the 'examination' and the 'understanding' too. What is important in the effort is total willingness to accept the results and a readiness to shed what is discovered as unwanted. Individual attachments will give way soon but the attachment itself will show itself stronger in other similar acts. Now list all acts of attachments that can be said to be of the same strength at one given level. Concentrate your effort in a few of them that stand out in that plane. When the few you concentrate on give way ALL acts of attachment at the plane will suddenly disappear. Now is the time to move to stronger ones. The whole being should be behind this effort. The effort is taken as a token at certain landmarks. The results will be rewarding if one lets Mother wash away the stain of attachment. The only danger is one is likely to grow attached to the success in shedding attachment. This means one is shedding attachment at one level and is fortifying it at the next higher level. That is the occasion to examine your nature that needs the experience of attachment. That is to be taken up later. (MSS)
Aspiration, Equanimity/Detachment
Detaching from Surface Personality
Detaching Mind from the Work and Replacing It with Spirit Detachment from Senses and
Intellectuality
Detachment from Sense Knowledge
Stopping Running Thoughts &
Detachment
Reason,
Intuition, and Detachment -Intuition = mind detached from the mental sense of understanding = it directly knows (MSS)
Untitled
Detached Thinker
Method of Progress
to Next Highest Plane
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