#Nonattachment

Finding Happiness by Letting Happiness Go

Once happiness is treated as a requirement, the mind begins to scan constantly for proof that it has arrived. That monitoring—Am I happy yet? Is this enough?—splits experience into judge and judged, creating a background tension that crowds out ease. In that way, striving becomes self-defeating: it frames contentment as conditional and fragile, dependent on perfect circumstances. Letting go of the struggle doesn’t magically remove difficulty, but it does remove the second arrow—the extra distress added by insisting reality must conform to our preferred emotional state. [...]

Freedom in Doing: The Grace of Expectationless Action

This mindset echoes nishkama karma, the Bhagavad Gita’s teaching on action without attachment. “You have a right to action, not to the fruits” (Bhagavad Gita 2.47) distills the practice: labor devotedly, yet relinquish claim over what follows. Sri Chinmoy, shaped by Indian spiritual traditions, extends this ethos into daily life. When effort is offered as a discipline and a gift, the work gains dignity independent of applause or blame, and character is measured by fidelity to the task rather than by trophies. [...]

Impartial Heaven, Straw Dogs, and the Sage

From here, the text deliberately contrasts Confucian ren (benevolence) with a broader impartiality. Confucius prized ren as humane concern, but Laozi warns that moral programs can slip into favoritism or display. He underlines this elsewhere: “When the great dao is abandoned, there is benevolence and righteousness” (Daodejing, ch. 18), implying that elaborate virtue-talk often compensates for lost naturalness. Later, Wang Bi (3rd c.) glossed “not benevolent” as “without partiality,” indicating a clarity that helps rather than a coldness that harms. The point is not to suppress kindness; it is to prevent kindness from becoming a tool of vanity, coercion, or selective compassion. [...]

Act Without Expectation: The Essence of True Action – Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu underscores the idea that true virtue lies in integrity and pure intentions. When actions are performed without hidden motives or desires, they reflect authenticity and moral clarity. [...]

The Great Way Is Not Difficult, Just Don't Pick and Choose - Seng-ts'an

Seng-ts'an, also known as the Third Patriarch of Zen, played a crucial role in transmitting Zen teachings in China during the 6th century. His advice reflects core Zen principles of mindfulness, equanimity, and non-attachment. [...]

The Bird of Paradise Alights Only Upon the Hand That Does Not Grasp - John Berry

John Berry's quote is rooted in philosophical and perhaps even spiritual teachings that have been shared across various cultures, all emphasizing the importance of letting go in order to truly experience the beauty of life. [...]

A Good Traveler Has No Fixed Plans and Is Not Intent on Arriving - Lao Tzu

A key idea here is to let go of expectations. By not being intent on arriving, travelers can appreciate what comes their way, experiencing life more fully without the pressure of predefined outcomes. [...]