{"id":2387,"date":"2020-06-10T10:39:22","date_gmt":"2020-06-10T17:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vitalethos.com\/?p=2387"},"modified":"2022-12-31T18:48:58","modified_gmt":"2023-01-01T02:48:58","slug":"compassionate-non-attachment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vitalethos.com\/compassionate-non-attachment\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Release Attachments and Start Living Your Best Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Click\u2013 Click\u2013 Click\u2013 Click\u2013 Click\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rollercoaster approaches the apex of the track. Your car lurches forward, slower, slower, slower.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You reach the very top. The briefest pause. Life hangs in the balance.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suddenly, you\u2019re barreling towards the ground at warp speed.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is your body tense? <\/em>Shoulders hunched? Waiting for the drop to be over?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or are your arms up? Head tilted back? Soaking up every sensation as it whips past?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As humans, we are fortunate to be able to experience a rich spectrum of emotions, from joy to sadness to anger.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in order to truly thrive during this lifetime, we must release our desire to control the uncontrollable.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is no small feat. Our desire to control unpredictable forces is hardwired into our DNA as a species. It is our nature to fight for survival against all odds. Yet, it\u2019s also our nature to constantly push to evolve beyondour instincts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Buddhist principle of non-attachment<\/strong> is especially relevant as humans collectively experience the coronavirus pandemic and all the fears and suffering that have arrived along with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As individuals, we can do very little to control the course of the virus, the economic devastation left in its wake, and the tragic loss of life around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But we can control our own thoughts and behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can<\/em> cultivate an inner resilience that will carry us through the inevitable ups and downs of life. A resilience that enables us to be better neighbors, better partners, better parents, and better humans to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compassionate non-attachmen<\/strong>t is the practice of releasing the need to control external circumstances\u2013 whilst genuinely caring about the welfare of all beings and being engaged in the present moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on for actionable advice and journaling prompts to help you develop compassionate non-attachment in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n

Understand the Benefits of Non-Attachment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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In The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People<\/a><\/em>, Stephen Covey imagines two concentric circles: the Circle of Concern<\/strong> and the Circle of Influence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The larger, outer Circle of Concern represents everything you care about\u2013 career outcomes, your health, your finances, your kids, your partner, world events, politics. The list goes on and on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your smaller, inner Circle of Influence represents all the concerns you can actually do<\/em> something about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Covey argues in favor of proactively focusing your energy and attention within your Circle of Influence. Not only does this lead to a happier, more positive life, but it can actually help expand<\/em> your Circle of Influence!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a recovering control freak, I can personally attest to the transformative power of releasing attachments outside my Circle of Influence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just in the last six months since beginning to practice compassionate non-attachment, I\u2019ve experienced a wide range of benefits including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n