New Moon Teaching Two
Freeing oneself is the gentle art of learning how to truly love. It is easy to confuse the healthy ideas of unconditional love with a kind of unhealthy attachment. Unhealthy attachment creates ‘clinging’ – a sticky form of emotional dependence and protection. This ‘clinging’ forms the nucleus, attracting ‘entanglements’ to form around it. Entangled in one scenario after another, the suffering typically intensifies until we reach the end of our tether.
‘Pain is generally the only catalyst for change’
You cannot simply ‘cut off’ entanglements through effort or will. They unfold only through dissolving their impact upon your life. This depends on you and your ability to ‘see beyond the things of the world’ and a deeper understanding of why you are attracting them. When you are open to the process of watching it all, without defending your point of view or justifying your opinion, the nucleus is weakened and entanglements will naturally unfold. They show themselves for what they are.
Entanglements cannot be cut off through, the pure yang qualities of, effort or will. However, a deeper understanding of the five passions of the mind is considered essential and it is recommended to approach this challenge with yin qualities, reflection, awareness and understanding. This increase in awareness and deeper acceptance of the self, begins the process of unraveling the entanglements that binds us to people and things.
Entanglements include unhealthy attachments of all kinds. When one is attached or entangled, repetition and dullness are actively sustained. In this state, it is not possible to face the challenge of the moment with clarity and freshness. Entanglements breed conflict in every aspect of life experience. This conflict is the struggle between the reality and the ideal. If the reality is not pleasing, the ideal is created to compensate. Unfortunately, we cling to the ideal in order to soften the blow of the reality.
‘Unhealthy attachment is the source of habitual behavior. It can be suggested that if habits are not ‘cut off’, they become vicious patterns of behavior that are negative, harmful and destructive’
If entanglements prevail, the reality cannot be perceived truly or correctly. This causes derangement of the energetic body. This is the cause of much suffering and it is vicious.
Thank you Alex
Wishing you health and happiness as the Spring brings awakening and new growth.
Very best wishes and blessings to you and your family.
I appreciate these important lessons.
Thank you Alex, this is so true. This is the season to reflect upon one’s inner being as well as one’s outer being. Change is hard but not to change is certain death.