Love reflecting upon itself—seeing others in ourselves and ourselves in others—or Tat Tvam Asi, Sanskrit for “you are that, that you are.” All individuals comprise the connection that is oneness.
Yet in order to connect, we must detach, free ourselves from clinging to one way or another. We detach when we look into the mirror of our oneness so that we see each other.
Detachment is not giving up anyone or anything but rather, it is attaining freedom. My own experience tells me that when I am completely present, my life is free of past conditions and future “what ifs,” wide open to the field of infinite possibilities.
When we are completely present, we are giving the moment our full attention. Attention energizes the moment, keeping it free from the past, the future or any current situation. When we energize the moment, we set our intention, the direction we wish to travel within the field of infinite possibilities.
Intention transforms or changes the moment but intention does not attach to any one solution, any one goal. There is no clinging, no controlling how it all works out. Rather, with intention, we set our course, remaining open to the outcome as it reveals itself.
I do not find detachment easy but I find it attractive for it is staying with what is, not what was, what might be or even the outcome I think best. I cannot possibly know what is best but I can focus on a direction.
Deepak Chopra writes that in detachment, there is wisdom in uncertainty. Likewise, attachment to anything results in fear and insecurity: “In order to acquire anything in the physical universe, you have to relinquish your attachment to it” (Seven Spiritual Laws of Success).
It seems to me detachment offers us the mirror of oneness, the reflection of what connects us to one another. Perhaps it provides us a way through our separateness.
In detachment, our perspective broadens as do our perceptions for we are not attached only to one way or the other but are engaged only in what is. We recognize traits in one another because we know them as our own. In our oneness, we are mirrors, reflecting the world to one another.
Oneness never diminishes the individual but celebrates it–Tat Tvam Asi—you are that, that you are. All are part of the whole. In celebrating our connection to one another, our attention is on what connects us, not what separates us. The energy of attention—our connection–sparks the intention of reaching critical mass awareness.
For the first time in the history of humanity, we have the technology to create global consciousness one person at a time– the only way change is ever truly affected–as we reflect ourselves to one another through the mirror of oneness, a celebration of each and every one of us.
When we are open to what is—the infinite field of possibilities–we are not attached to value, judgment or labels but to “the dream of constant okayness” as Pema Chödrön named it. The infinite field of possibilities abounds in the state of okayness in every moment for every one of us.
The gift of oneness is that the uniqueness of every individual is what connects us, is what allows us to mirror the world for one another. It is how we recognize ourselves.
We live in a fractious and fearful world; we live in a moment unlike any other. As with all who have come before us, we have the opportunity to create a planet of thoughtfulness, mindfulness but unlike previous generations, we have the technology to criss-cross the globe, connection upon connection.
The world grows smaller as we grow closer. “It is only by risking ourselves from one hour to another that we live at all” (William James). It is up to us as it has always been.
KM Huber's Blog 
Well said! And this–a very intriguing notion: “For the first time in the history of humanity, we have the technology to create global consciousness one person at a time.” Wow. I had not thought of that.
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Thanks, Ann! It is a sobering thought, isn’t it?
Karen
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Hi Karen! I really loved this post. So much so, that I quote you on my post tomorrow. I hope that’s okay. Perhaps I should’ve asked. “When we are completely present, we are giving the moment our full attention. Attention energizes the moment, keeping it free from the past, the future or any current situation.” This statement fit so well with what I am writing about. Thank you for such an inspirational post. How are you doing? I hope you are well. 🙂
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Hi, Karen!
I am honored that you are quoting me; truly, it means a great deal. As always, I look forward to your posts. Let me say, again, how great it is to have you back in the blogosphere. I am doing quite well in every way; appreciate you inquiring.
Karen
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Dear Karen, This is a beautiful, thoughtful and affectionate article!. I am linking it to my post today, Thank you!
with Love,
tomas
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Your kind words and thoughts are much appreciated, Tomas. I enjoyed your post.
Karen
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Your posts are always so thought provoking. I try to be present but sometimes the world gets in the way.
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I know what you mean about the world getting in the way, moment by moment. Thanks for the kind words about my posts, and thanks for stopping by.
Karen
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I must admit I found this post more difficult to get to grips with than usual. I get glimmers but feel I am not connecting as much as I could. Maybe I am too much in the detached state at present! Thought provoking anyway as always Karen.
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The jewel in this post is your sentence: “Maybe I am too much in the detached state at present.” Perfect, Diana, truly. Sometimes, I feel I am as Louisa May Alcott described her father and the transcendentalists, out there “soaring with the oversoul.” Maybe that is the heart of detachment; I remain fascinated. As always, thanks for a thought provoking comment.
Karen
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Hi Karen, I’m going to try this again as my last comment didn’t go through..glitches. Anyway, loved this post and I too struggle with disconnecting but agree that the ability to be in the present moment is oh so tempting. Funny you mentioned, Pema Chodron, as she is one of my favorite teachers. I’m currently working with her CD series titled, This Moment Is The Perfect Teacher, isn’t it really? Another thoughtful read and I agree with the others, the flowers are gorgeous.
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I really enjoy Pema Chodron and want to read/study more of her work. Thanks for mentioning the CD series. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Karen
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Wow, Karen. 🙂
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Thanks, Tim.
Karen
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Someday I’ll catch on, actually be able to practice oneness and living in the moment. Thank you for this great post, and for often reminding me how to get more peace.
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You are great reminder to me as well. Thank you.
Karen
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Great post, Karen. I love the idea of oneness. There isn’t an ocean without all the drops of water that are in it–every drop is unique and important. We don’t lose our individuality by being part of the oneness.
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Yes, Diana, each one of us is the ocean. I like that. Thanks!
Karen
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Thank you once again for sharing your thoughts – and as always, your writing carries a wonderful sense of peacefulness. Detachment – ‘abstraction’ – to me is such an important part of the human condition, because if we understand it properly it allows us to step back and away from the things that might otherwise lead us down paths that, however immediate the rewards may be, become destructive in the end. Distance allows us to see things for what they are; and – as you point out – to also identify the good in others that we like to see in ourselves. And it is, I think, quite true that if we live in the present – truly, properly, and with understanding – then many of our problems go away. The human mind has an unerring capacity to intellectualise, to rationalise, to worry – to conceptualise a past and future in ways that often work to our detriment.
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Absolutely, Matthew, if we will just be. As always, such an insightful comment. Thank you.
Karen
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Karen,
<bow> Thank you for this ENLIGHTENING post. </bow> Remind me to read this post over and over until I understand every nuance. I am like a fast food junkie who has just tasted a Michelin 3-star chef. I know that something amazing is going on here, but I don’t have the senses to fully appreciate it. I am so grateful to have met you in the WANA class, Karen. You are a gift to peace, wisdom, and beauty.
p.s. Lovely photos as well.
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Yep. 🙂
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Oh, Kozo, I, too, am so glad we met in the WANA class. It is wonderful getting to know you and so exciting to be a part of “Bloggers for Peace.” I am glad we are traveling together; we light each other’s way.
Glad you like the water lily photos.
Tim, you keep me humble.
Karen
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Your blog is evolving in a different direction and I can see the shift in you. We are all connected and through connecting, with each other we become better people. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and thank you for being you.
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You are so kind, Athena; it’s wonderful to connect with you.
Karen
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I love the idea of being comfortable with the gray areas or uncertainty. Detachment is often a difficult idea to grasp, much less attain. We’ve all been taught to hold on tightly to situations, things, people, not realizing that in the end, it ends up being a prison and leads to suffering. Lovely water lily photos!
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There does seem to be a comfort or “wisdom” in uncertainty and as you say, perhaps it is the inherent freedom or “letting go” that provides it. Thanks for such a thoughtful comment; glad you like the water lily photos.
Karen
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This being present is hard work! (But worthy). And far more comfortable than listening to the nattering voices of what was, but has been lost, and what is desired, but will never be. I am also particularly vulnerable to the fear that what is will vanish. Things are okay now, but just wait…
I am a work in progress. Thanks as always for a thoughtful comforting post.
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Being present is more comfortable, I agree, and at the same time, we are in the field of infinite possibilities, which just may account for the comfort. Thanks, Adrian.
Karen
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Beautifully said. And the lillies are georgeous. Is it okay if I print them?
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Thanks so much, Deb! Print away, my friend. I was so lucky to get them. They are from one of the many ponds at St. Mark’s Refuge on the Gulf.
Karen
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