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October 2009 
Letting Go of Attachments
Posted on Dec 8th, 2008
by 
Mathew
Mathew
I am just throwing this out there for anyone who feels moved to weigh in on this subject.
Is letting go of attachments a part of the hero's journey? Or have I misidentified the bigger picture of what has been happening in my life for the past four years or so. Because I have been in a state of surrender and openness (to the Universe/God/Spirit) to the best of my ability for many years now, and during this time, in order to survive, I have had to sell my house, sell my possessions, cope with the stigma of unemployment, cashed out all my retirement savings plans, taken loans against my life insurance policies, maxed out my credit cards, sold off my investments, moved three thousand miles to a new country with nothing but the suitcases I could carry -- and still, my material life appears to be at a standstill. All the new ventures I have pursued have proven unfruitful thus far. And through the process, I have recently lost my connection to my spirit guides -- something that was vitally important in keeping my composure through the worst of this transition. Anyway, as dire as things still appear to be, I have for the most part remained unusually calm, and maintained an inner knowingness that things are going to work out -- and I still haven't lost that faith -- but what is really going on here? Have I been learning an extreme lesson about giving up attachments to the material plane, and to the spirit guides who appeared on the scene about eight years ago? Or have I missed the picture completely? I know I'm not crazy. I know I haven't turned away from opportunities. I know in my heart I have been guided every step of the way. But enough is enough already. Insight anyone? How long can such a phase last? What can I do to be true to my inner nature and at the same time create income for myself and my family? I have been guided to follow my heart, and to face my fears, and for the most part, I believe I have been doing that. I pray and meditate regularly. I imagine my new life as if it has already happened. I am focused on being of sevice to others. So why is this transition to a new life taking so long -- and why is it so filled with challenge?
Is letting go of attachments a part of the hero's journey? Or have I misidentified the bigger picture of what has been happening in my life for the past four years or so. Because I have been in a state of surrender and openness (to the Universe/God/Spirit) to the best of my ability for many years now, and during this time, in order to survive, I have had to sell my house, sell my possessions, cope with the stigma of unemployment, cashed out all my retirement savings plans, taken loans against my life insurance policies, maxed out my credit cards, sold off my investments, moved three thousand miles to a new country with nothing but the suitcases I could carry -- and still, my material life appears to be at a standstill. All the new ventures I have pursued have proven unfruitful thus far. And through the process, I have recently lost my connection to my spirit guides -- something that was vitally important in keeping my composure through the worst of this transition. Anyway, as dire as things still appear to be, I have for the most part remained unusually calm, and maintained an inner knowingness that things are going to work out -- and I still haven't lost that faith -- but what is really going on here? Have I been learning an extreme lesson about giving up attachments to the material plane, and to the spirit guides who appeared on the scene about eight years ago? Or have I missed the picture completely? I know I'm not crazy. I know I haven't turned away from opportunities. I know in my heart I have been guided every step of the way. But enough is enough already. Insight anyone? How long can such a phase last? What can I do to be true to my inner nature and at the same time create income for myself and my family? I have been guided to follow my heart, and to face my fears, and for the most part, I believe I have been doing that. I pray and meditate regularly. I imagine my new life as if it has already happened. I am focused on being of sevice to others. So why is this transition to a new life taking so long -- and why is it so filled with challenge?
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Sorry, Matthew. You are the only one who knows the answer to your path.
But as an overview it appears that no one can guide anyone else spiritually. One does it oneself, by understanding what is going on as it happens. If one does this faithfully the “answer” pops up. Note the answer is not what one expected, or one would know it already.
If you want to jump start the process take a look at www.idenics.com
Regardless, I admire your faith.
Good luck!
Hi Kevin,
Thanks very much for your thoughtful response. I am not familiar with “idenics” — I took a quick look, but not enough to be sure if it is something for me or not. I appreciate the recommendation though, and will go back for a more serious look.
You are the only one who knows the answer to your path. But as an overview it appears that no one can guide anyone else spiritually. One does it oneself, by understanding what is going on as it happens.
I absolutely agree with you that no one knows the solutions to our situations better than us — therefore ultimately, it is up to us to look within in an effort to decide what is best as far as our growth and progress is concerned. That said, I am not looking for someone to tell me what to do, or what to believe, I am simply looking for perspectives that others may have to offer based on their own experiences and observations. Sometimes we can get stuck or myopic in our views, and to this end, I am reaching out.
I also believe that an important part of the process of growth is to share our experiences, especially where an experience may have a negative self-judgment attached. In my case, I have had to deal with the shame, embarassment and humiliation I felt as a result of finding myself in the predicament that I am in. I think I have processed those self-judgments and moved past them, but just in case there is still some residual negativity attached to my perceptions, I have written this post to further dispel and release those judgments. I think the simple act of openly sharing our honest feelings (about our situations) releases subtle negative energy inherent in self-censorship that may be a possible blockage to our progress. In that regard, I’m just airing out the laundry, so to speak.
Once again, thank you for you thoughtful response. Please feel free to come back anytime with more.
Namaste,
Mathew
“I think the simple act of openly sharing our honest feelings (about our situations) releases subtle negative energy inherent in self-censorship that may be a possible blockage to our progress.”
Well said!
Have you, maybe, been believing that “losing attachment” is also meaning not having material wealth?
I’ve learned - contrary to my earlier believes - that one doesn’t exclude the other one.
You can get spiritual enlightenment, or awakening, by being materialistically o.k. The Universe (God..) want’s you to be happy, not suffering. Do You want that, too?
And, as you’ve said, you are not alone: your have a family. Is your family on the same spiritual path? - Mostly that would not be the case, even if they are “with you”.
We forget sometimes the simplicity of asking for what we want, without wanting to point out the HOW and WHEN these things are going to be happening. Let the “how’s and “when’s” up to the Universe to arrange for you.
And, most definitely, it’s important to focus and FEEL positively. As you said: ”there is still some residual negativity attached to my perceptions,”.. Abraham would say you put too much attention to what IS instead of HOW YOU WANT things to be. First, you have to LOVE WHAT IS, wish for it, RELEASE, and then changes will be happening.
I can tell you that by copious experiences.
It helps me listening to abraham-hicks.com when I forget to focus on the positive. Have you tried it?
Thank you for sharing these things here!
Love and Namasté,
Silke
Thank you, Silke.
Like you, I do not think that being a spiritual person and having wealth are mutually exclusive, though I am aware of the challenges that money can exert on the spiritual path. But believe me, those are challenges I am more than happy to face!
I admit that I do have days where I fall into the trap of dwelling on how things are as opposed to focusing on the way I would like them to be. But those days are definitely the exception and generally speaking, they are few are far between. For the most part, I am grateful for my life, and I think positively about my goals, I try to release expectation as to outcome or timing, and otherwise, live in the moment. Nevertheless, I have been going through a tough time. Fortunately, my family is doing very well – though this journey has definitely challenged everyone!
Thanks for the Abraham-Hicks link. I have read “The Law of Attraction” and other books of similar persuasion. And I don’t disagree with the philosophy, though a part of me feels that the “Law of Attraction” is somehow overly simplified and incomplete. But that’s a whole other discussion. Suffice to say, I am going through a phase that causes me to question everything I thought I understood!
Love,
Mathew
Dear Mathew, I am not a person who adopts any kind of “phylosophy”, but I do really, rally recommend not only to read the abraham hicks books, but to LISTEN to the audio cd. It’s a whole different experience. For making it short: it just seems right! Listen and tell me what you …. feel!
Love,
Silke