Was Alan Watts right about this??

[SOUL]

On 12/20/2022 at 9:34 AM, Carl-Richard said:

You can't practice detachment.

 

On 12/20/2022 at 7:27 PM, Carl-Richard said:

You can't practice letting go.

There is something kind of profound in this. I'm reminded of the Yoda saying 'do or do not, there is no try'. Practice is just doing something.

Attaching is activity, the doing of identifying with, so attaching to something. To let go or detach implies an activity of attaching identity to 'the one who lets go', an attachment of the doing of something and possession of something to let go of. So the notion of 'letting go' and 'detaching' are someone doing something.

Genuine detachment is an inactivity, it's not doing something, it's not attaching to the content of the mind, not identifying with it, not taking possession of it. There is no action or reaction to it, letting it float on by in the mind, just observing in awareness. So there is no 'practice' because it's not a doing.

Although, the ego-mind will try to attach identity to the concept of 'the one not doing' instead of just simply being present. It's pesky like that.

Edited December 24, 2022 by SOUL