Detach, Release, and Let Go

My friend Lancy, author of A Drop of Tear in Heaven, has tagged me to post on, "letting go." I thought I would take this this meme a little further and discuss detachment and release as well. So, this post is in honor of her meme!

Detach, Release, and Let Go!

I do not know of anything more miraculous than the ability to bond to another.

Humans (and other species), have found that in forming bonds and emotionally attaching to one another we survive better than when we are alone, and how this ability came to be is nothing less than miraculous!

Think about it for a moment... when we hold a child, contemplate our beloved, or laugh with our friends, various neurochemicals are created in our brains that "attach" or bond us to the object of our love and care.

We form attachments to people that are every bit as strong as the most powerful physical structures or chemicals on earth, yet these attachments are not something we can touch or hold or measure in ways concrete.

I can't get over this!

While we understand attachment from an evolutionary and psychological perspectives, its power and beauty go far beyond this. It is in the "attachment" or that deep bonding we find the ability to care, have compassion, and love others; it is an incredible creation that is at the core of human life and our very existence.

In the therapeutic world, those who, for some reason are unable to form these powerful bonds with others, are considered to have, Attachment Disorder. It is considered an aberration of what is most common in human beings and counterproductive to having healthy and fulfilling relationships of any kind.

However, there are some faith traditions or philosophies, that emphasis detachment, or releasing that to which one is bound, believing that attachments create unhappiness, and thwart the journey to know oneself.

My own observation is that there is great benefit and deep joy from emotionally bonding to loved ones. Simultaneously however, this fabulous ability can also inhibit growth, loving, or living if we attach to that which is unhealthy or unholy.

What emerged to bring survival, light, and love into our world, can be stifling if we are not aware and conscious of what it is to which we bond!

Let me give you some examples.

We may "attach" ourselves to our car, our job, a particular negative thought, or an unhealthy way of living. We may have attached ourselves to guilt, criticism, pain, or selfishness. We see people attached to television, news, substances, or even those who are abusive or harmful.

Sometimes we attach to unhealthy possessions, traits, or people because it is comfortable to do so; in other cases we may become dependent; either way to live in goodness or in our highest light, means releasing that which is unhealthy is harmful to our spirit and soul.

In these situations we can practice detachment, or release, or letting go.

In my own life I have found three guidelines to help me know what it is that would be beneficial to release:

1. That which harms, stifles, or thwarts what I consider holy, healthy, and life-giving.

2. That which interferes with or is destructive to my relationships, and my ability to love and serve others.

3. That which harms my soul, brings a negative energy into my life, or weighs me down.

While I personally hold to the idea that sacred attachments are a lovely and holy part of the human experience, I think it is also valuable to consciously notice that to which we are attached that may not be in our best interest.


Now to Lancy's meme.... currently I am "letting go" of some of my books. I get very "attached" to them and want to keep every book I read however, many books sit in bookcases without use, when they could be donated to those who may wish to read them.

So I am in the midst of going through my books and today, will detach from many and donate them to the Good Will so others might enjoy them as have I!

I tag all those who are in need of some detachment, release, and letting go!