Overcoming Attachment with Someone: Hinduism Solutions and Practical Approaches
In Hindu philosophy, attachment (also known as moha) is seen as one of the primary causes of suffering and delusion. To overcome attachment, particularly to people or relationships, Hindu teachings offer spiritual guidance, mantras, and practical approaches rooted in self-discipline, detachment (vairagya), and devotion.
Key Teachings and Philosophy:
Understanding Attachment (Moha): In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna teaches that attachment arises from desires and cravings, leading to suffering and confusion. In Chapter 2, Verse 62-63, it says:
"From attachment, desire is born; from desire, anger is born; from anger, delusion arises; from delusion, confusion of memory; from confusion of memory, loss of reason; and from loss of reason, one is completely ruined."
This highlights the destructive cycle of attachment and how detachment can bring clarity and peace.
Concept of Detachment (Vairagya): Vairagya means renunciation or detachment from worldly desires and attachments. This doesn't mean neglecting relationships, but rather understanding that all things are transient. The Bhagavad Gita advocates for performing duties without attachment to the results (Karma Yoga).
Practice of Selfless Love: Hinduism promotes seva (selfless service) and bhakti (devotion) as ways to redirect attachment from the temporary to the eternal. The idea is to replace attachment to people with a higher attachment to God or the Divine.
Practical Day-to-Day Solutions to Overcome Attachment
Meditation and Mindfulness:
- Practice daily meditation focusing on the impermanence of life. One technique is Vipassana or Anapanasati meditation, which helps in understanding the fleeting nature of emotions.
- Focus on detaching from thoughts during meditation and witnessing them as an observer.
Mantras to Overcome Attachment: Chanting specific mantras can help in calming the mind and releasing emotional attachments. Here are some mantras associated with Hindu deities that promote detachment and inner strength:
Ganesha Mantra for removing obstacles of attachment:
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः । Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.Meaning: "Salutations to Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles." Ganesha, the god of wisdom and new beginnings, helps in breaking emotional obstacles like attachment.
Shiva Mantra for transcendence and detachment:
ॐ नमः शिवाय । Om Namah Shivaya.Meaning: "I bow to Lord Shiva." Shiva represents the ultimate form of detachment, embodying vairagya. Chanting this mantra can help one let go of worldly attachments.
Hanuman Mantra for strength and control over mind:
ॐ हनुमते नमः । Om Hanumate Namah.Meaning: "Salutations to Lord Hanuman." Hanuman represents courage, strength, and selfless devotion, helping devotees overcome emotional turmoil and attachments.
Durga Mantra for inner strength and emotional fortitude:
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः । Om Dum Durgaye Namah.Meaning: "Salutations to Goddess Durga." Durga symbolizes power and protection. This mantra invokes her to give strength to face emotional attachments and detachments.
Narasimha Mantra for destroying inner fears and attachments:
ॐ उग्रं वीरं महाविष्णुं ज्वलन्तं सर्वतोमुखम्। Nṛsiṁhaṁ bhīṣaṇaṁ bhadraṁ mṛtyu-mṛtyuṁ namāmyaham॥Meaning: "I bow to Lord Narasimha, who is fierce and protective." Narasimha, an incarnation of Vishnu, represents the destruction of inner demons like attachment and fear.
Detaching through Seva (Service): Engage in acts of selfless service (seva) to others. By serving without expecting anything in return, the mind slowly loosens its grip on personal desires and attachments. Service to the needy or the environment helps shift focus from personal relationships to a broader perspective.
Bhakti (Devotion) to a Higher Power: Redirect attachment from the worldly to the divine. Surrender to a higher power through devotional practices. The path of Bhakti Yoga helps transform attachment to love and devotion for the Divine, which is eternal and unconditional. Devotion to Lord Krishna, Shiva, or any personal deity (Ishta Devata) can uplift the soul.
Self-Inquiry (Jnana Yoga): Regular contemplation on the nature of the self helps in understanding that all relationships are temporary and transient. Through Jnana Yoga (path of knowledge), one asks "Who am I?" and realizes the illusory nature of the material world. The Upanishads explain that our true self (Atman) is eternal and beyond these temporary bonds.
Keeping a Journal: Writing down thoughts, emotions, and feelings of attachment can help to observe them from a distance. Once you write them down, you become more aware of how fleeting and impermanent they are.
Stories from Hindu Scriptures
Story of King Janaka: King Janaka, known as a Rajarshi (saintly king), was deeply involved in ruling his kingdom but remained completely detached. When asked how he maintained detachment despite being a king, he replied that he performed his duties without being attached to the outcome. This is a perfect example of Karma Yoga in action—being in the world but not bound by it.
Story of Arjuna and Krishna (Bhagavad Gita): Arjuna was emotionally attached to his family and friends and was reluctant to fight in the battle of Kurukshetra. Lord Krishna advised him to rise above personal attachments and perform his duty as a warrior, without getting emotionally entangled in relationships.
Ideal Gods and Goddesses for Overcoming Attachment
- Lord Shiva: The supreme yogi, Shiva embodies perfect detachment. Worshipping Shiva can inspire the practice of renunciation, surrender, and inner peace.
- Hanuman: As the epitome of selfless devotion, Hanuman can help you cultivate courage, strength, and the ability to focus on higher goals, free from attachments.
- Goddess Durga: As the mother who destroys all forms of bondage, worshipping Durga strengthens emotional resilience and helps in breaking free from emotional dependencies.
- Narasimha: Worshipping Lord Narasimha helps in removing internal attachments, fears, and delusions, offering protection from emotional distress.
Inspirational Quotes from Scriptures
Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 47):
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction."
This verse teaches the importance of performing duties without attachment to the results.
Srimad Bhagavatam (11.2.42):
"An intelligent person should renounce all attachments for material sense gratification, and by good association, reject all bad habits of the mind. With controlled mind and senses, one should worship the Supreme Lord in bhakti."
This quote emphasizes the necessity of renouncing attachment and surrendering to the Supreme through devotion.
Overcoming attachment in Hinduism is not about rejecting relationships but about transforming one's perspective. By practicing devotion, self-inquiry, and mantra meditation, and understanding the transient nature of the world, one can gradually detach from emotional attachments and experience inner peace. Worship of deities like Shiva, Hanuman, and Durga can offer strength, wisdom, and protection in the process. Through consistent spiritual practice, one can learn to live fully, free from the bonds of attachment.