One of the things that we talk a lot about in yoga philosophy is the idea of detachment.
This refers to detaching from images, sense of identity, expectations on: self, people, results, etc., and even from others.
Now some people dislike the interpretation of detaching from people because it may seem like a lonely or cold way to live, but perhaps that it itself is an attachment to some unknown idea of what life would be like detached.
What do you think would happen if you let go of everything?
Sometimes M and I discuss my ability to be detached as I learned from an early age not to form too much attachment to people or things because life then was very transient and unstable. In fact, my life now is not much different – to be honest – though I do have much more control over my life than before (or at least I think I do… π ). This means that I can appear cold with my emotions even to him, but it is more that I have accepted that while I love him dearly I also know that someday he may die or leave. I am okay with it. I do not say it will not be sad or possibly hurt my heart, but I acknowledge this is life and people come and they go in it.
The same goes for my material things, my fur balls, and so on.
I feel that when we detach our emotions and identities from the things of this world, it greatly decreases our need for worry or stress because I am no longer attached to an outcome of expectation.
Ultimately, detaching means releasing expectations. If I expect nothing other than to be present, give gratitude, share love and enjoy the moments as they come in a day, I find I am more content and do not fret about what is to come or what has passed (for I enjoyed the moments then).
So, what is the worse that could happen if we let go?
~T π
