DETACHMENT

Detachment – how does one get it? You must want it – you must want the clear spring water of non-possession, of being able to be in the heart without saying I, me, mine – whether it’s your children, friend, husband, or wife; it does not matter.

Detachment comes from a certain place where you are willing to give up that which you think you possess. Detachment is the divine caring of others without trying to possess their very souls. If you give love away freely, and love with all your heart, you will never be hurt. Once you get the hang of it, it is really quite easy. Once you understand that we who have flesh cannot possess anything, as our flesh grows old, decays, and dies, we find that everything is impermanent: a child, a husband, a wife, a sister, a brother, an aunt, an uncle, and life itself. Truly, God is our only possession.

Turning away from your friends and families is not a sign of detachment. Becoming indifferent to it all is indeed not detachment. It is imperative to understand that detachment is non non-caring. There is no greater love than when you love in a detached way; detachment is unconditional love. The greater the detachment in the human heart, the closer to unconditional love you have become. When you are in the heart of detachment, you are able to give up the numerous desires and cravings that can only hurt you.

The way you begin to learn the truth of detachment is to do one thing different in your life. Every single day, instead of becoming angry, take a deep breath and smile. Instead of being hurt, see if you are truly hurt, or if it is just pride. Rather than hold on tightly to that which does not belong to you, let it go. Give space, lots and lots of space, and be free in the moment as the moment embraces you. So change one thing; it doesn’t matter what!"

Ma Jaya

Ma Jaya's sacred art: abstract series