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What is the Buddhist Concept of “Non-Attachment”?
And is it a healthy approach to life?
If you’ve ever heard someone talk about Buddhist principles, you might think they’re pretty far out. And you wouldn’t be wrong. Compared to how we typically think in the West, Buddhism offers an approach to life that is fundamentally opposed to some of our most basic sensibilities.
The concept of “non-attachment” is no exception. To most Westerners, “non-attachment” sounds a lot like “detachment”, which conjures images of someone who can’t connect with others or is emotionally numb. Why would anyone pursue that state of mind?
Of course, no one would. It’s here that a great misunderstanding is found.
The main aim of Buddhism is to end dukkha, which some translate to “unsatisfactoriness.” No matter who you are, you’ve experienced it. Dukkha is present when you lose a loved one, when you’re passed over for a promotion, or when your relationship ends. It’s found in smaller things, too, like a disagreement with your best friend, worrying about a presentation at work, or when you stub your toe.
According to Buddhism, the main cause of dukkha is attachment to our cravings and aversions. Cravings are things that we desire to attain, like a new car. Aversions are things that we desire to avoid, like an illness. Our cravings and…
