Resources on Attachment and Detachment/non-Attachment?
Are there any Buddhists out there who have any good resources/links that talk about Attachment and non-Attachment? I'd like to read more. This is something I struggle with - I don't think I understand it properly, and since we moved further away from the temple a year ago I haven't been able to go to and speak to someone.
Blah, I don't know. I don't even know what I want to know. I don't know much about it... it's the one thing I've never delved into, I think because I've never wanted to. I have had depression and PND that left me what i felt was void of emotion, including towards Jazz and Shel... I'm hesitant... I know something in me is telling me that it's different, but how? Being attached means that letting go is painful. Even though being attached is painful. I felt a real loss at being detached. Blah, I'm rambling again. I know depression is different, but I also know that the 'point' (I guess you could say) of detachment is to understand that nothing is permanant and accepting this and allowing yourself to 'separate' or 'detach' from that which is not permanant.
Maybe I'm letting myself think to literally?
Do you strive towards non-Attachment? What does Attachment and non-Attachment mean to you?
I think the sense of confusion is partly coming from the terminology. I know they use the word attachment a lot in Buddhist literature, but maybe its just the best translation and they have a better word in Sanskrit or Tibetan or whatever. Attachment in English has a lot of baggage, especially coming from the field of psychology. It's hard for us to conceive how we can love someone without being attached to them IYKWIM.
Sometimes it helps me to think in terms of the other words they sometimes use like 'clinging' and 'grasping'. They give more of a sense of trying to hold on to what is without all the excess baggage that goes with the word attachment. When you think in terms of clinging/grasping it is much easier to see how you can love without these elements, but also how easy it is for those feelings to sneak in. Loving without clinging or grasping to me means appreciating the moment but allowing it to pass without trying to hold on to it. Still tricky ... but maybe not impossible.
Does that help at all?
Yeah I know what you mean, I did a beginner Pali language course and it really emphsised that most words don't translate to English smoothly, and one word, like Upadana, has elements of the word 'attachment', and as you said, 'clinging' and 'grasping', also 'holding'.
And when you translate the English word attachment back to Pali, you need to consider other words before it translates to Upadana. Including the word 'Pema' which, when you translate it back to English, means attachment and love.
LOL no pixie, I don't know much at all about 'Attachment'... I don't think I know much because I find it so confusing. Doesn't really matter what I know, or think I know, because I don't really understand!
Just some thoughts that have popped into my head today, in case you're wondering what's going through my head Dunno if my thoughts are 'right' regarding Attachment, but here goes anyway...
I read something this morning about 'Attachment' as 'grasping' or 'holding', instead of 'letting it be'. I think I understand that. Allowing people (like Shel and Jazz) in my life, letting them be, living in the moment, letting it be what it is right now without wanting it to be more or wanting to hold on to what it was... that makes a bit of sense.
I guess I have to bring in "love all beings as family, because at some point they have been or will be your family" and know that love and attachment on that level is ok and normal and what you want to strive for. Being attached to all, but clinging to none. That makes a bit more sense too. Attachment as 'connection', positive connection, being connected to all, connecting to all with love and kindness, but not grasping or clinging to any, not wanting more or wanting what was because that will just bring suffering... Accepting impermance by not grasping or clinging...
That brings the questions of emotions, I'm not sure what questions specifically yet (LOL!) but I know I have some questions...
Thats as far as my thoughts have gone today, but I think it's something I'd like to let myself explore! Definitely more, and less, to Attachment than I first thought.
Resources on Attachment and Detachment/non-Attachment?
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Dunno if my thoughts are 'right' regarding Attachment, but here goes anyway...
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