Attachments and losing the self.

[Celtaur]

I have a tough time balancing attachment and detachment to things. Today I questioned myself about my attachments, what they are doing for me and how they work against me, to try to find balancing.

I find my attachments, even though realizing all is impermanent, that attachment does serve it's purpose. It gives us a sense of purpose to a degree... without what is out there, is there really any in here? Are we not dependent to externalities to some degree, without them would we not simply be void?

However losing the self, this can take different connotations, but in this regard I'm speaking of losing who we are because of our attachment, losing our self as a disservice, rather than an inner, esoteric path of self awakening.

External attachments, can pull us out of ourselves, and take us over in a sense, where we forget our own place in some ways. We can get pulled away in a good way, as in moments of zen, becoming that which we are observing, a flower for instance, where all else disappears from thought. Then there is the pulling away in a way that does not serve us well... where we get so caught up in externalities, obligations, etc., that we neglect our wholeness, sometimes possibly even forgetting our higher purpose.

Do we get caught up in attachments to things because we want our needs met?

Take consumerism for instance, people get so many things to fulfill needs, there is an attachment there, connected to an emotion. The emotion could be a range of things, and quite often based on fulfilling a need, representative of some sort of emptiness in one's life. Food would be on the basic level of survival covering a need, but like so many other things can morph from need to want, but still based on the emptiness factor of an emotional perspective attemping to be filled. People can be often lost in the first place, but even continue to be lost in trying to fulfill that sense of emptiness, and then therefore attaching to something realize it's impermanence and feel the sense of emptiness return. In terms or relating to losing the self, loss, one may attach to something and get lost in the process, possibly even feeling more empty.

Replace consumerism with the many other examples people use to fulfill a need or desire for further ponderings.. spirituality, intimacy, social function, work, hobbies... all moving towards something... a greener grass?

I think the realization, the recognition comes when one lives in experiencing the vibration of fulfillment not inducing further emptiness but abundance... but then again, impermanence becomes real.

[EyeCanBlackStars]

I think attachments are inevitable. The only problem is when someone goes about managing their attachments without awareness or unskillfully. Learning and understanding attachments is how one builds good karma.

To be freed of attachment you first have to understand the attachment then work on it. Sometimes when people try to free themselves of attachment prematurely, when they enter a higher state of mind they will realize their error and with goodness in their heart will return to finish the deeds they set about to do originally. This is why faith in the higher powers and voice is important, the spirit only sets foot on the human form, mind is mechanically anchored to the spirit.

[Celtaur]

Learning and understanding attachments is how one builds good karma.

To be freed of attachment you first have to understand the attachment then work on it. Sometimes when people try to free themselves of attachment prematurely, when they enter a higher state of mind they will realize their error and with goodness in their heart will return to finish the deeds they set about to do originally. This is why faith in the higher powers and voice is important, the spirit only sets foot on the human form, mind is mechanically anchored to the spirit.

Now this is something I am to meditate on.

[Echo]

For myself, freedom from attachment, I think, comes when you can love without need or demand, give up without anger, enjoy without depending. When you have given up everything and find it is still there regardless. The love is greater than ever, but it has changed gear and has aquired freedom.

There is an old saying that the initiate owns nothing, but has the use of everything.

[Vesperal]

I have recently freed myself from my strong attachment to my hometown, because staying here isn't good for me anymore. If I want to keep progressing now I have to move somewhere else, I tried to fight against this in the last few years. I need this change, to keep progressing and find happiness again.