Renunciation, letting go of our attachment to particular outcomes, is the key to being able to truly enjoy life. Our degree of attachment to things and to outcomes can be a ready measure for our spiritual progress and degree of true realization. We may be pretty proficient at meditation techniques and able to understand yoga philosophy but if we need things to be a certain way for us to be content, then the goal of the practice is not yet realized. Only through renunciation can we experience peace of mind that is consistent. Without renunciation, we are elated when things go the way we planned and despondent or angry when they don’t. All of the peace gathered on the meditation cushion in the morning is blown away in the afternoon wind of
something not turning out “right.”
Discernment about the nature of our efforts can be helpful for learning how to let go of clinging to outcomes. With any action we undertake, there are several factors to consider. Some of those are within our domain of control but others are not. We plan, we select materials, and we engage in work or action. Even when we do everything to the best of our ability there is always an unseen factor involved as well. This “unseen factor” is beyond our control. Consider a farmer who plans for a harvest, selects the seed, plants at the right time and in the right way, cultivates the ground, and tends the plants. But the unseen factor—perhaps weather conditions, water conditions or insect populations—will affect the farmer’s yield for good or for ill. Being aware that there is always an “unseen factor” helps us to understand the wisdom of letting go of particular outcomes. Working in the highest way is to do what we do with integrity, do the best that we possibly can, and then let go of the outcome.
People sometimes wonder if this isn’t giving up on having goals to succeed. It is not. We still set goals. However, we cease to attach our success to particular outcomes. Our relationship is with Spirit. We do what we do with an inner harmony, an awareness of our true nature as one with God. We trust that working in harmony with divine will yields success, sometimes in the way we envisioned and other times in surprising ways that we could not have anticipated.
With the practice of renunciation we take refuge in Spirit, and do not identify ourselves with the forces of nature and the dance of change that is its way. We rely on God, trusting the divine order of things. This ability to trust God, to trust Life, is fundamental to a peaceful mind. Without this deeper trust, the mind reels at every turn in the road. When the mind is restless, there is no inner peace. When there is no inner peace, there can be no joy.
Think About It: The ideal inspiration-to-right-action is to cheerfully do as duty what needs to be done. In this way, we can be inwardly peaceful at all times. Without this kind of discipline, we may be inclined to remain in bondage to desires, to performance of actions which can make possible fulfillment of desire, and to the end results of such actions. The devotee should meditate daily as spiritual duty, disregarding thoughts or feelings which might tempt one to do otherwise.
–Roy Eugene Davis, from The Eternal Way: Inner Meaning of the Bhagavad Gita
Be Inspired: Renunciation does not imply apparent divesting of costumes, family ties, home, etc., but renunciation of desires, affection and attachment. There is no need to resign your job, only resign yourself to God, the bearer of the burden of all. –Ramana Maharshi
something not turning out “right.”
Discernment about the nature of our efforts can be helpful for learning how to let go of clinging to outcomes. With any action we undertake, there are several factors to consider. Some of those are within our domain of control but others are not. We plan, we select materials, and we engage in work or action. Even when we do everything to the best of our ability there is always an unseen factor involved as well. This “unseen factor” is beyond our control. Consider a farmer who plans for a harvest, selects the seed, plants at the right time and in the right way, cultivates the ground, and tends the plants. But the unseen factor—perhaps weather conditions, water conditions or insect populations—will affect the farmer’s yield for good or for ill. Being aware that there is always an “unseen factor” helps us to understand the wisdom of letting go of particular outcomes. Working in the highest way is to do what we do with integrity, do the best that we possibly can, and then let go of the outcome.
People sometimes wonder if this isn’t giving up on having goals to succeed. It is not. We still set goals. However, we cease to attach our success to particular outcomes. Our relationship is with Spirit. We do what we do with an inner harmony, an awareness of our true nature as one with God. We trust that working in harmony with divine will yields success, sometimes in the way we envisioned and other times in surprising ways that we could not have anticipated.
With the practice of renunciation we take refuge in Spirit, and do not identify ourselves with the forces of nature and the dance of change that is its way. We rely on God, trusting the divine order of things. This ability to trust God, to trust Life, is fundamental to a peaceful mind. Without this deeper trust, the mind reels at every turn in the road. When the mind is restless, there is no inner peace. When there is no inner peace, there can be no joy.
Think About It: The ideal inspiration-to-right-action is to cheerfully do as duty what needs to be done. In this way, we can be inwardly peaceful at all times. Without this kind of discipline, we may be inclined to remain in bondage to desires, to performance of actions which can make possible fulfillment of desire, and to the end results of such actions. The devotee should meditate daily as spiritual duty, disregarding thoughts or feelings which might tempt one to do otherwise.
–Roy Eugene Davis, from The Eternal Way: Inner Meaning of the Bhagavad Gita
Be Inspired: Renunciation does not imply apparent divesting of costumes, family ties, home, etc., but renunciation of desires, affection and attachment. There is no need to resign your job, only resign yourself to God, the bearer of the burden of all. –Ramana Maharshi
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