On Attachment

[Guest guest]

Dear Jayadeva,

 

I really liked the examples you gave of the locks and keys in your

comments about attachment ... very useful and concrete examples using

the metaphor of lock and key, which is one I love anyway from my life

long interest in spiritual belief systems and the metaphors and

symbols they use to help us access their inner truths. Is not the

Chandi such a symbol, such a key ~ to unlock our understanding of the

ego and the Mother?

 

One thing I feel moved to say, though this does not come from anything

you said, is that sometimes people view detachment as not caring. I

myself have clung to detachment, with misplaced understanding, of

course, as a life raft when I have been battered about by my family's

ups and downs and their behavior towards me. Your example by Patanjali

Maharaj would see that as the lock, I believe, and the key as caring

and compassion, or I would also use the word acceptance ... accepting

them as they are; accepting me as I am; accepting the situation, not

trying to fix it or change it. But I also want to say that I believe

detachment does not take away passion. The holy people I have met are

some of the most passionate people I have ever seen, and they show it!

Just think of Swamiji when he is doing the chandi. To me that is

devoted passion in action and a wonder to behold.

 

Ammachi, whom I also love, is very passionate whether singing bhajans

or giving darshan or being in Devi Bhava. I am grateful for the

handful of flower petals she threw in my face. She is also very

devoted to the charities she has created to help the poor and the

sick, and her passion has inspired countless others to open what are

called "Amma's Kitchens" in many places (these are like soup kitchens

where the indigent and poor may be fed).

 

So ... is there such a thing as passionate dispassion. I believe there

is. I have seen it in action. Oh! Imagine Maa when she starts to sing

and what passionate singing she inspires in her devotees. One of my

favorite things being around Swami and Maa is the singing.

 

Your discussion of locks and keys also gave me another way to view my

illness (the lock) ... so now I will begin to search out which key

fits into the lock. Thank you for opening up such a marvelous topic.

Jai Maa! ~ Linda