|
Articles
Self Actualized Lives ― Viewing
Detachment
by Karen
Johnson
Copyright © 2005
In
the game of life, if we do not possess the ability to practice detachment we
need to find a way to develop one. It will broaden our borders and fashion
new ways of being. Whether it's being modeled to us, mentored or tutored,
whether you call on forces from above: to be a true visionary you need to adopt
detachment a way of seeing the world.
There are so many ways that we try to influence the outcome.
Many of these are not only endorsed and abetted but also rewarded by Society.
You may not hear many people applaud someone for their great
state of detachment; however, if you reflect upon anyone that you
truly admire and want to emulate, have they not attained some level of
detachment?
Detachment
is about living life without exerting undue influence over
others. It is about staying neutral, not being attached to the outcome,
not interfering with the energy. The Universe exercises detachment... do
you?
GUIDELINES
Some think that detachment requires being cold and
aloof; in reality it is
the perfect state from which to create. It allows us to obliterate all
unimportant static or ego-based thoughts riding through us, driving our
behaviours. Detachment is seeing yourself in relative perspective to the
world, allowing you to cross the bridges that interconnects us all.
Whether
negotiating a deal or contract, developing our psychic abilities, or doing
anything in our everyday lives, detachment
helps us to excel. It has great power although some may wrongly perceive
it as withholding. The practice of detachment is
just another piece in the puzzle allowing ourselves to become fully
self-actualized individuals.
EGO
AND DETACHMENT
People
who are unable to access the state of detachment sometimes are the very souls
who think they are so powerful. "I can control you by intimidation,
by manipulation, subliminally... and I am so powerful because I can exercise all
these things over you..."
Our
ego can be viewed like a layer of clothing... underneath is
our true essence. In winter we layer our clothes to protect us from the elements. On the ego level we can create layers of defenses through fear,
manipulation, envy and so forth, in order to protect our true self from
being adversely affected.
The ego is all about ME. It has no sensibility other than the goal of
getting you what you want. The ego ensures that your needs get met no
matter the cost. It does not
take into consideration the needs, desires or highest good of others. The
ego is not the whole self, it is just one level, one aspect. Unfortunately,
in some it is a highly developed part.
NON-DETACHMENT
Detachment enables you to view things from a wider
perspective. It is at play in
our lives determining who are and where we'll venture. It can be approached from a very
cerebral perspective but is anything but cerebral. Not
practicing detachment limits our world because we then see everything in connotation
with ourselves and our own needs.
The underlying philosophy of
'non-detachment' keeps you enmeshed or
entwined with people or situations. With non-detachment, the guiding compass within us seems to disappear or
erode. Eventually, you'll lose sight of your 'true
self.'
On the surface, it may appear to be an easier way to
live but
these individuals have no boundaries supporting them. They have lost sight
of where they begin and others end: they have lost their centre.
Non-detachment is not a philosophy, but unfortunately a way of life for many upon this
planet. You can lose touch with a significant but elusive part that needs to be
nurtured and respected. A heartbreaking component may be losing your ability to
dream.
CONVERGENT
PATHS
Love is the lesson, detachment is the history. Like
love, detachment binds us to our destiny. Love, a powerful emotion, binds us
together or can force
us apart. What love has to do with
detachment in a very broad sense is that loving ourselves and our fellow man
requires us to step aside and watch with our inner wisdom. This is one way the spiritual
realm watches over us.
DETACHMENT ZONE
There is an overriding human need to be accepted at almost any cost. Why
give your power away because of what someone says if you are living in a
conscious, detached way? Do the people you know live their life so that
what others think and say has little impact on them?
There is pressure to walk the line, to be as those who came before.
Governments can oppress, some even guide under the mantle of fear. There
is pressure to conform and mold your ideas, thoughts to some so-called societal norm.
Society is always geared towards the status quo. At one level Society wants you to act as
an individual but at the same time not to break ranks.
DETACHMENT
AND YOU
How
does detachment impact you? Does it influence your choices? Your inner self is
emotionally contained, not a hotbed of activity. Being
detached you are not spurred on only by your emotions.
Practicing
detachment means living a life where we lead by
example, living a self-actualized existence. Detachment is the ability to stand with yourself and beside yourself.
To
be truly detached, you must practice right thought and right
action.
You are in a situation but not of the situation.
You are fully present living in the now, no longer emotionally reactive.
HOW
TO HONE YOUR SKILLS
The first step is to believe in
yourself and to believe in right action. Understand that right action at
its most basic level is doing what is right solely because it is right and not because
you'll gain from it. It is having the desire, the ability and the
knowingness to do so. Always create from within.
For
some living in a detached way may be totally new. It's like learning a new
language. It may go against everything that you've ever been taught or
even thought a good human being does. It requires you to take responsibility: to stand
up for your life, your beliefs.
Understanding and compassion
light our way. We are all part of a mosaic that is a much larger pattern
than any one of us can create alone. We
all belong to the human race and the vision we create for ourselves will be
expanded as we expand our own consciousness and embrace this new way of
experiencing the world around us.
|
This article was
originally written by Karen Johnson for:
The
Meta Arts Magazine,
New York, November
2005
©
2005, 2006 Karen
Johnson, CHt. MHt. All rights reserved in all media.
|
|
Karen Johnson
is an internationally renowned
expert in the field of Human Potential Development an area where she
has been a leader for the past decade. A well known Energy
Medicine Practitioner, Master Hypnotherapist, Spiritual and
Metaphysical Healer and Author.
She also runs an international
Intuition Consultant business: consulting and mentoring for
individuals and small businesses.
She can be reached at 416.466.6225 or
www.awakeningheartandsoul.com. |
Return to Articles menu
For more information:
Karen Johnson, CHt. MHt.
The Carrot Common
320 Danforth, Suite 202
Toronto, ON CANADA M4K 2N8
416 466 6225
karen@awakeningheartandsoul.com
Top of Page
|
