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If you purify your soul of attachment to and desire for things, you will understand them spiritually.
If you deny your appetite for them, you will enjoy their truth, understanding what is certain in them.
*St. John of the Cross, 1542-1591
Wisdom Story
Two monks lived together in a monastery for many years; they were great friends. The monks died within a few months of each other. One got reborn in the heaven realms. His dear friend got reborn as a worm in a dung pile.
The one up in the heaven realms was having a wonderful time enjoying all the heavenly pleasures. But he started thinking about his friend. He thought, "I wonder where my old mate has gone?" He scanned all of the heaven realms, but he could not find a trace of his friend. Next, he scanned the realm of human beings. He could not see any trace of his friend there. So, he looked in the realm of animals and, next, of insects. Finally, he found him as a worm in a dung pile.
He thought, "I am going to help my dear friend. I am going to go down there to that dung pile and take him up to the heavenly realms, so he can enjoy the heavenly pleasures and bliss of living in these wonderful realms."
Therefore, he went down to the dung pile and called his friend. And the little worm wriggled out and asked, "Who are you?" "I am your friend. We used to be monks together, and I have come to take you to the heaven realms where life is wonderful and blissful." The worm said, "Go away, get lost!"
The compassionate friend replied, "But I am your friend, and I live in the heaven realms." And he described the heaven realms to him. But the worm said, "No, thank you, I am quite happy here in my dung pile. Please go away."
Then the heavenly being thought, "Well, if I could only just grab hold of him and take him up to the heaven realms, he could see for himself." He grabbed hold of the worm and started tugging at him. The harder he tugged, the harder the worm clung to his pile of dung. Finally, the compassionate friend gave up and returned, without his friend, to the heaven realms.
*Adapted from "The Worm," Ajahn Brahmavamso. http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org
Suggested Reflections
1. What is the relationship between emotional attachment and spirituality?
2. What is the contrast between love and attachment?
3. Is it possible to be emotionally attached to negative mental states? How would such attachment evidence in meditation practice?
4. Are you emotionally attached to someone or something?
5. What does it feel like when you are experiencing emotional attachment?
6. What is the role of spiritual practice in dealing with attachments?
7. Is it possible for someone to be emotionally attached to spiritual practice?
8. Can you cite an attachment that has been resolved or lessened due largely to your spiritual practice?
Brian is available to respond to requests pertaining to seeking a Spiritual Mentor, his speaking, leading classes, workshops, or retreats. See any major on-line bookseller for his book An Ache for Union.
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