*DETACH/*DETACHMENT - also see SEPARATE
God takes the lead. Grace sparks the longings for our detachment from all that is less than God. (Dark Night, p23)
As Tao teaches yin and yan, I wonder if God is both detached (separated/holy) from this world and attached (ie. the source of all energy and a part of all matter) at the same time. And if God is both detached and attached to the world, then we should also be detached from materialism and idols (and focus more on meditation and contemplation), but also attached (via our responsibilities and service to others). (Randy, 3/10/97)
Detachment doesn't mean turning a cold shoulder to the world. Far from it. It means transcending ego. Our detachment frees us from fear, enabling us to participate in the greater harmony. (Tao Peace, p17-8)
YOU MUST ALSO BE DETACHED FROM THOSE SWEET SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES TO WHICH THE MIND CLEAVES.John of the Cross speacks of such attachments as the tiny thread around the foot of the bird hindering it from soaring into the sky. A Buddhist said: a man is standing in the subway with his umbrella when the train comes. He must let go of the umbrella and grasp the rail - otherwise he is lost. TRUE MYSTICISM IS REST IN NOTHING, IT IS NO SEARCH FOR A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE OR A THRILLING KICK. (Zen, p38)
Words are like fingers pointing to the moon. Cling to the finger and you'll never see the moon. Even the words of scripture are fingers that point to something else. (Zen, p50)
Avoid extraordinary gifts whenever possible becuase it is difficult to remain humble when you have them. The more extraordinary the gifts, the harder it is to be detached from them. (Open Mind, p7)
Letting go of spiritual gifts is the best way to receive them. The more detached you are from them, the more you can receive or rather, the better you can receive. It takes a lot of courage to let go of the most delightful things that can be experienced. (Open Mind, p76)