There is some misunderstanding about the meaning of detachment. What is detachment? Does it mean being indifferent, lazy or lacking warmth and compassion? No, this is not true detachment!
True detachment is a state of not getting disturbed or agitated by external events and by yours and other people’s emotions and thoughts. It is a state of staying calm and in control of yourself and your moods in every situation, without feeling being harassed or hurried by people or circumstances.
Detachment shows itself in lack of attachment to the results of your actions, and in accepting the consequences of what you do. Instead of getting nervous, angry, agitated or unhappy, if things go wrong, you stay calm and try again. In this sense, detachment shows itself as inner peace, inner strength and courage.
A truly detached person would act, work study or do everything else with attention and to the best of his ability, without laziness or indifference, but also with full detachment as to the results. There is no waste of time and energy on thinking about the ‘why’ and ‘what if’.
You can make plans, work and live an active life, but yet, maintain an inner state of detachment. You can love, be happy and enjoy life, but be emotionally and mentally unaffected by circumstances, situations and people. It is a matter of attitude.
I know this might seem impossible for some people, but nothing is impossible with some training and inner work. I have written extensively about detachment and how to develop it in my book Peace of mind in Daily life, as this is an important part in the training to get inner peace. My other book, Will Power and Self Discipline also leads to developing inner detachment.
More on what is detachment:
Detachment and Being Detached
Improve Your Life With Inner Detachment
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March 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Just like what Buddha said; “You become full when you are empty.”
… huh!? well that left me scratching my head for a few years. Basically it is similar to detachment. We are happy in our physical world but when you detach your emotional bond with the material world you find inner peace and true happiness