The problem of attachment
abracad, · Categories: spiritualitySpeaking at Harvard University in 1988 the Dalai Lama said "Attachment is the origin, the root of suffering; hence it is the cause of suffering."
Attachment is what happens when we reach a situation that feels (relatively) comfortable. Life is basically hard, so when we find ourselves in a state when that hardship seems minimal we naturally want that state to continue.
The problem is that we're not born into this world to find eternal comfort, we come here to learn. If we can find happiness along the way, that's great. But if we try to hold onto it we are blocking our future progress.
The nature of existence is change. If change ceased to happen there would be no point in existence. Until we are able to let go we are doomed to misery and stagnation.
It may seem nice to hold on to what we have in the transience of the moment, but ultimately the gratifications of now are utterly meaningless aside from the lessons they may teach.
In the words of Kris Kristofferson's beautiful song, "Let's just be glad we had some time to spend together." Or as Tennyson put it, "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."
As one door closes, another opens. Let's enjoy the moment while it's here. But when its time comes to pass let's let it go gracefully, with gladness that we experienced it, and with an open heart and mind to receive the next stage of our adventure.
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