Attachment – The Bhagavad Gita

Introduction

“Attachment is the source of all suffering” ~Buddha

Most spiritual people today think the concept of non-attachment or disattachment to matter and material things is a Buddhist concept, but it can be found in Hindu scripture that predates the Buddist ones by many years. Here is an example from the Bhagavad Gita.

Chapter 2.

2. 2. 2. 62. While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.
         63. From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost one falls down again into the material pool.
         64. But a person free from all attachment and aversion and able to control his senses through regulative principles of freedom can obtain the complete mercy of the Lord.
         65. For one thus satisfied [in Krishna consciousness], the threefold miseries of material existence exist no longer; in such satisfied consciousness, one’s intelligence is soon well established.
         66. One who is not connected with the Supreme [in Krishna consciousness] can have neither transcendental intelligence nor a steady mind, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?
         67. As a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the roaming senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man’s intelligence.
         68. Therefore, O mighty-armed, one whose senses are restrained from their objects is certainly of steady intelligence.
         69. Such a sage awakens to light in what is night for all beings; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.
         70. A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires—that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still—can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires.
         71. A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego—he alone can attain real peace.

Recognizing Attachment in Ourselves and Others

Attachment to physical objects and desires to gain material possessions are anchors that hold back attempts to develop our spiritual self and gain higher levels of consciousness. The Essenes knew this, which is why they required members of an Essene community to give all their wealth to the community treasurer to be shared by all. This does not mean that we must give up all material comforts and live like an ascetic monk, but it does mean we should avoid becoming too attached to those things. And if we should discover that we have become attached to material objects, we should rid ourselves of those objects for the sake of our immortal souls.

So what is too Attached? When you decide to ignore an evacuation order because protecting your house is more important than protecting your life, you have become too attached. If you stand in line for two days to get the newest cell phone, you have become too attached. Use modern conveniences, but don’t get attached to them.