Mindfulness and Attachment

Learning To Let Go To Ease Suffering 

Everything in life is temporary: money, relationships, pets, loved ones, emotions, jobs and so on. We know this is true because we have all experienced loss. And when this loss occurs, we are sometimes surprised or taken off guard. Why? 

The answer is simple - attachment. 

Attachment leads to suffering. There's no question about it. So how do we minimize or remove our suffering related to attachment?

The first step to determine any solution is identifying that there is a problem. Ask yourself - do you like the way you feel when you experience loss? Of course you do not, no one wants to suffer unnecessarily. But what to do next is important.

The second step is changing your mindset - embrace mindfulness. When we embrace mindfulness (being aware of the present moment) this allows us to view life differently. We realize that a particular moment or sensation will never come again.

Think about the first time you met someone who had an influence on your life. It could have been a good experience or a bad one, it doesn't matter. That initial experience will never be duplicated, it was temporary. Think about the first time you rode a rollercoaster. The excitement, the anticipation, the wariness as you approached the car, not quite your turn. That exact feeling will never come again. 

What was your first experience with death? Was it a pet, a grandparent, a friend? If you were young you might not have really understood what loss really is. If you were in your adolescence you probably felt sad and did not know how to express yourself. If you were in your late teens (or older) you probably felt sad but could express yourself in a way that best suit you.

No matter what the situation, when we embrace mindfulness we understand that all things are temporary and to not become to attached to them. When it comes to relationships, I am not saying that you should not love someone out of fear of loss. We all should exhibit loving - kindness to each other, that is one of our purposes in life. But just realize it is all temporary.

The third step is how to begin to develop mindfulness. Meditation is one way to start on this journey and it only needs to be about 10 minutes every morning.

Begin by sitting in a position that is most comfortable for you. Take three deep breaths, inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. This will begin to relax your body and mind. Now to become aware of your surroundings. I start off by identifying the sounds, smells, and air temperature around me. 

Next, I move to my head and face, identifying any points of tension, usually by your eyes and jaw, and then melting the tension away. I move down my body, from my neck, arms and hands, spine, hips, and legs, identifying any sensation I might be feeling in those locations (warmth, tension, cold, anything I can identify). 

This process takes me about 10 - 15 minutes each morning after yoga. Afterwards when I'm finished I'm more mindful of what's around me throughout the day. I purposely am more aware of myself, others, and my surrounding.

When you try this meditation exercise keep in mind you might not experience 'immediate' results. You must practice daily. Everyone is different so it might take you a few weeks to begin to notice some changes. 

It's important not to rush or have unrealistic expectations in the beginning, you are not on-line shopping with 2 - day delivery guarantee. You are working on improving yourself and where you are today isn't the product of a single night. It takes time to change and grow. But if you stick with it you will see results.

Let me know what you think in the comments below if you like.

Wishing you peace and ease,

Vladimir        

Blue Lotus Meditation And Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.