Non attachment

Spirituality
#1

To be compassionate yet non attached.
i work with puppies in india where the mortality rate is 80%. doing this work for a number of years has forced me to think about “life cycles” in alot more depth, dealing with such suffering and death/ karmas, reincarnations; wondering how it all works. Many answers have come since starting my yoga practice, just 8months ago. . In our karma yoga we are not supposed to be attached to the outcomes and certainly not to such impermanent things as the vehicles provided to us in this lifetime… As with most things it is very clear in theory and less clear in practice. im finding that in trying to stay non attached in this work, im becoming less compassionate…or atleast thats what it feels like as i distance myself. Im almost feeling “guilt” for detaching myself as in the past ive been all absorbed by the suffering i see.

im interested to hear of people’s own experiences with non attachment and how we move towards that goal…if it is a goal:o

#2

Dear Anula,
Please don't feel guilty for detaching, it is just a normal response when feeling overwhelmed by the suffering you see and the associated feelings of helplessness. I admire your courage to do the work you do, not everyone has the strength to do that. I don't. I wish I was strong enough to go to the animal shelter and volunteer, but I know I will cry every day.
Sorry, I don't have an answer for you to make it easier to carry on. But be assured that I am extremely grateful that people like you exist in this world. You have my deepest admiration. And you ARE making a difference, you ARE helping, your actions are proof that you care!
Kind regards, love and best wishes
Elisabeth

http://sites.google.com/site/falseguru

#3

You help animals, you care about animals, if that means you are attached to them I see nothing wrong with that but it does not matter what I see for you.

sometimes we attach to the concept of non attachment.

That is very nice and kind of you to spend your time helping animals in need, my hats off to you.

#4

Namaste Anula:

Since extenuating circumstances and the presence of other people are most often involved in our life’s work, these factors contribute to the overall scenario, whether this meets with our approval or not.

As a result, we are primarily responsible only for our own intentions and personal efforts, but we are not personally responsible for the final outcome of such work. Thus, non-attachment in such instances is a healthy and appropriate response, IMO.

Hari OM!

Adityananda

#5

[QUOTE=anula;29637] im finding that in trying to stay non attached in this work, im becoming less compassionate…[/QUOTE]

This is interesting thing you have brought up. I can feel that too.

Detaching from my family make me less compassionate about their crazy problems… But at the same time I can see more clear what their problem is, and can advise or/and help much better.

This is in fact interesting question. But we can pick things we want to attach less too…

#6

I was thinking about your question a lot. Seems like we have quite misunderstanding about attachments. Yoga sutras say:
[I]Non attachment is
is the mastery of consciousness
wherein one is free from craving object of enjoyment [/I]

#7

Ive seen some time ago an interesting video “Bodhisattvas in Hell”:

Its bit more from buddhist tradition but i think it may be relevant.

#8

I dunno you could look at it like this.

“When these poor puppies die - they get to move on up the ladder!”

How nice is that?

#9

[QUOTE=Pawel;32289]Ive seen some time ago an interesting video “Bodhisattvas in Hell”:

Its bit more from buddhist tradition but i think it may be relevant.[/QUOTE]

I do not like the guy… just a feelings:(

But the good one popped up the Father Thomas Keating:) I Like him!

#10

Dear Anula,
Feeling compassion is a natural instinct. It gives you energy for work and that is good. Perhaps “non-attachment” has arrived in your mind from the Yoga practice and since you are new to it you are applying a very advanced spiritual concept to your daily life. Why not keep the two separate? Keep and nurture your compassion; that’s a beautiful thing.

Spend more time understanding, absorbing and practicing Yoga and pondering over a question ‘have we understood non-attachment really?’ In Ashtanga Yoga, after practicing yama, niyama, asana and pranayama for fairly long period of time abilities of concentration, meditation and conemplation are developed. But they remain outward oriented. The real Yoga happens within. Hence, the next stage to reach is “non-attachment” with outside objects, so that mind can remain fully centered within. It is called, pratyahara. But, this non-attachment is in the form of relaxed indifference, neither attraction nor hate.

After pratyahara, concentration turns into dharana and so on. You will learn it eventually. The point is, this non-attachment is purely a Yogic skill acquired for higher practices.

Just for a moment, think in your context. Because you feel compassion, you are drawn to an ailing puppy. What is in the best interest of the puppy? A sentimental you who is tearful and inactive? Or a puppy-nurse who will set aside all emotions and get down to curing the puppy? Now, don’t you see compassion and non-attachment are complementary, and not conflicting? Your compassion is a great motivator, but your help to the puppies is at its best in a state of non-attachment, a skill that you consciously apply. And if after your best efforts the puppy doesn’t make it, you will feel sad, but not guilty.