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Lately I have been struggling somewhat with spirituality and the frequent requirement of detachment it requires. A detachment from things external to the soul seems to be paramount to most spiritual paths, whether we're talking about Christianity, stoicism, Buddhism, or myriad others.

Obviously a degree of detachment is necessary. One cannot live a fulfilling life always at the whim of external circumstance. I think we have all seen this absolutely devastate someone we love. Certainly something can be said for the necessity of a certain level of detachment and for the ability to detach oneself from circumstance. I myself have found great strength and solace in stoicism and its application in many areas of my life.

However, one can still attach to good things, ride them to their heights, then detach before the downward trip. This is also a technique I use in my personal life.

But even this sidesteps the question: what is all this detachment and spiritual austerity for?

Of course Christians and Buddhists

have definitive answers for this.

Perhaps I am just an earthly

creature, confused and coping, but

I want to be good. I want to align with the Cosmic Order. But I am an earthly creature, and this order for me is earthly.

The Tao which can be understood is not the eternal Tao.

Don't get attached to your ideas. But if you must get attached then get attached to your body.

Or so I hear.

And if I were to venture why, it's because ideas are sticky.

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