attachment

[Guest guest]

Dear Latha and List,

 

Since Mahamaya, Herself, creates attachment and is the "cause of

bondage..to objects", it is not surprising that ALL incarnated

beings struggle with the issue of attachment...it comes with the

territory. Sometimes I forget this...and might tend to think that "I

have a problem with attachment" (as though this is unusual rather

than part of being a human being). The interesting thing is that the

weapons that she carries point to the process of yoga that will free

us from attachment. I was just thinking about this today, when I was

reciting Chapter 2 and looking at the list of gifts and weapons

given to the Goddess by the Gods as She prepares to fight the Great

Ego. Equilibrium donates the conch of vibration: to me, this means

that vibration (recitation in Sanskrit or mantra japa) will bring

equilibrium, if we practice. The Light of Meditation gives His

energy. To me, this means if we practice meditation, we will grow in

energy and inner strength.Emancipation gives the bow of

determination. Again, determination will, eventually, lead us to

liberation.So, at the same time She is the cause of attachment, she

provides the weapons to free us from attachment.

Practically speaking, attachment lessens through practice.

However, at some point a more subtle form of attachment arises:

attachment to our practices. The only solution that I can see is

surrender and offering. Offering it to Devi or to your Ishta Devata

or to your Guru...especially, as described in the Bhagavad

Gita..making everthing an offering, no matter how "trivial" it

seems. Sometimes, when I am really feeling particularly "self-

centered" (small "S") and attached to some idea of the way

things "should" be , I do the practice of literally offering every

single action that day...from brushing my teeth in the morning,

changing the kitty litter, making breakfast, driving to the market,

etc. offering it like I would offer a flower in puja (it feels

idiotic at first and then wonderful). That same day, I will say,

very clearly to myself, that each thing I touch does not "belong" to

me; I do not own it. This food is god's food. this car is god's car.

this body is god's home etc. etc. At the end of the day, my sour

mood of attachment to who I think I am and how important I am and

how difficult it is for me in the world...has disappeared and I

really do feel a sense of immense gratitude for every single thing

that I have been given..I see them then as "gifts" for me to use but

not belonging to me. So, if that is the case, how could I be

attached to them. It works as well for personal relationships,

business situations and sadhana issues (ie: how long I can sit

without wiggling).

sadhvi