The Art of Life: Detachment and Engagement

2008.. the year that shifted the focus of the journey from an outer one to an inner one. When you lose all meaning in life, when you lose your very self.. you are forced to take such a journey. This is the very journey we all in fact are taking this very second. But for most of us, such a journey is not initiated until the mask of security is unveiled.. because in reality there is NO security.

And yet the British government (and well probably every other government in the world) continue pushing the notion of security on the public. Secure banks, secure homes and secure jobs. Hmm.. anybody else see a problem here? I bet you there are hundreds of people willing to come forward and tell of how these things are being taken away from them.

This is simply put down to an incorrect perception of reality. Everybody’s heard the phrase, “the only constant is change” and um since this is much closer to the laws of our universe I think it’s about time we heeded it. Now, I dunno about you but I sure as hell would rather have had a “life class” than a meaningless high school mathematics class (my case). But nobody teaches you that one of life’s little secrets is to engage fully in everything that you do with all of your heart and then completely let go of all these ‘securities’ at the end of the day. Life is full of wonderful little paradoxes like this. Let me explain.

Those who are:

• Attached and engaged (guilty as charged :0) – These people give all, take risks, go big and never give up. They go on crazy adventures and achieve things that most others would be too afraid of but ultimately, they suffer because they think they know how the end results will turn out and when they don’t they get upset (even though the end result might ultimately be a better one.. they are blinded). These people rely too much on family, friends, career, status, a partner and others to give them meaning in their lives when instead they need to realise that the very essence of meaning and life lives deep within them giving them the tools to create a meaningful existence no matter the challenges.

• Detached and disengaged – These people accept life as it is, not fighting the fact that often life lives them. Many of these people have suffered deeply in the past allowing them to fully recognise their inability to control all of lifes events but ultimately, they suffer because they too incorrectly think they know how events will turn out and that they will end up suffering.. which is exacly what happens anyway because they sabotage the opportunities that come their way. Instead of taking the risk, they play it safe.

• Attached and disengaged - People in this category suffer deeply. They take no risks, not chancing a kiss on the dance floor or a quick email application for a dream job. Their view on life is very limited and if it doesn’t happen a specific way they get upset. They see life as one failure after another instead of realising that failure doesn’t actually exist, except in the mind.

• Detached and engaged – These people are master painters. Every day they give 110%, never failing to see that dreams are in fact possible.. because, we do after all live in a universe of infinite possibilities. They take risks, go big and never give up.. but at the end of the day they realise that life is not as serious as it’s made out to be. They do not worry about money, relationships or err lets say nuclear war. Everything happens for a reason in their world and each ‘failure’ is but a stepping stone to success. Their source of power comes from within, never from ‘secure’ things like homes, money or family.

Copyright Ryan Brennan Smith 2008-2009. Custom Powered by  WoRdPrEsS