Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post

Vicariously Yours · 01-15-2007, 04:28 AM

I'm missing something, I think. Maybe someone can clarify things for me. Whenever I have a desire, there always follows a certain amount of emotional tension that can only be resolved by the realization of my desire. Hence, if I am truly unconcerned whether my desire is fulfilled or not, then it is not (to me) a genuine desire. I think of Steve's MDE, and cannot help but think that notmanifesting a million dollars will cause at least some disappointment. Is that not attachment to outcome? And, for ALG, won't the athlete striving to set a new record feel at least some disappointment if he does not, indeed, set a new record? And is he, therefore, not attached to the outcome?

I'm not trying to be ascerbic here, I'm really trying to understand. In truth, I believe wholeheartedly in the principles of I-M, but I'm having a heck of a time with the mechanics of it all. There seems to be a whole range of interpretations flying around.

What I think I have heard in the distant past regarding attachment and detachment is this: believe that your desire will be (has already been) fulfilled, but do not be too concerned (i.e., attached) with how it will be fulfilled, or whether the result is exactly as you envisioned it. That is how I understand "not being attached to the outcome." It is quite different from not caring whether the desire is fulfilled. And, yes, adding a "this or something better" to my affirmation might be a step in the right direction. But it still doesn't relieve me of an expectation that something will manifest, or from feeling disappointment if it is not fulfilled.

Perhaps I need some more practical examples of detachment. Anyone?

01-15-2007, 04:28 AM	#20 (permalink)
Vicariously Yours Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 18	Okay, I'm confused... I'm missing something, I think. Maybe someone can clarify things for me. Whenever I have a desire, there always follows a certain amount of emotional tension that can only be resolved by the realization of my desire. Hence, if I am truly unconcerned whether my desire is fulfilled or not, then it is not (to me) a genuine desire. I think of Steve's MDE, and cannot help but think that notmanifesting a million dollars will cause at least some disappointment. Is that not attachment to outcome? And, for ALG, won't the athlete striving to set a new record feel at least some disappointment if he does not, indeed, set a new record? And is he, therefore, not attached to the outcome? I'm not trying to be ascerbic here, I'm really trying to understand. In truth, I believe wholeheartedly in the principles of I-M, but I'm having a heck of a time with the mechanics of it all. There seems to be a whole range of interpretations flying around. What I think I have heard in the distant past regarding attachment and detachment is this: believe that your desire will be (has already been) fulfilled, but do not be too concerned (i.e., attached) with how it will be fulfilled, or whether the result is exactly as you envisioned it. That is how I understand "not being attached to the outcome." It is quite different from not caring whether the desire is fulfilled. And, yes, adding a "this or something better" to my affirmation might be a step in the right direction. But it still doesn't relieve me of an expectation that something will manifest, or from feeling disappointment if it is not fulfilled. Perhaps I need some more practical examples of detachment. Anyone?