Law of Detachment

One of the more challenging spiritual laws for me to grasp is the law of detachment.  The law of detachment states that in order to achieve our desires we must be willing to let go of outcomes.  This seems contradictory to the many teachings that suggest that we stay highly focused on our desires in order to ensure that they are brought to manifestation.  I’ve always had trouble understanding this law.  How can I stay focused on my desires and at the same time let them go?  

In his book The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Deepak Chopra sheds some light on the law of detachment.   According to Chopra, detachment means that self-identity is not based on one’s thoughts or desires or on anything physical or external.  In other words, our happiness must not be tied to the fulfillment of our specific desires.    

When we hold on tightly to our goals and desires, we prevent the universe from taking hold of them and formulating something far more wonderful than we could possibly formulate for ourselves.  A state of detachment allows us to get out of our own way while the universe goes to work on bringing us what is highest and best for us. 

In order to cultivate a state of detachment, Chopra recommends a regular meditation practice.  Meditation helps us to live more consistently from the perspective of the “silent witness” or the Christ within.  The experience of the silent witness is an experience of fullness and abundance regardless of outer circumstances.  The silent witness does not feel the lack of anything.  In this experience, we are aware that whatever manifests is in our highest interest.  When we live from the perspective of the silent witness, we are less likely to create resistance that blocks the flow of abundance.

This is not to suggest that we shouldn’t have desires or that we shouldn’t take action to fulfill our desires, but action for the sake of action often leads to frustration and exhaustion.  If we were to only take action after aligning our minds with the forces of creation, our actions would more consistently bring us closer to the fulfillment of our deepest desires.

Be clear about your desires, but consistently return to the simple awareness of your silent self – this is the key to the law of detachment.

Joel Osteen, a traditional Christian pastor and televangelist with a gift for teaching the third Unity principle (the Law of Mind Action), offers this kind of prayer as a way of practicing the law of detachment:  “Dear God, I have this big dream.  It looks impossible to me, but I know that with you all things are possible.  I know that you can make a way where I can’t see a way.  I have faith that you can help me make it happen.  And yet, I am open and flexible.  I’m going to be happy no matter what.  I trust your plan for me.”

Mary Manin Morrissey suggests that, in order to soften our grip, we phrase our desires as preferences:

• I would prefer to drive a newer car
• I would prefer different living room furniture
• I would prefer to be debt-free, but my happiness does not depend on it. 

 

Walking that fine line between having desires and letting go of outcomes is something I’m going to need to practice.  My daily meditation practice will help for sure.  I’m already noticing a shift in my capacity for living in an awareness of the Christ within.  My challenge now is to stay clear about my desires while reminding myself that my happiness does not depend on their fulfillment.  

~  REBECCA