“Not be attached?

But I’d feel detached!”

Buddhism teaches non-attachment, not detachment. Detachment is unresponsive and devoid of emotions. Non-attachment, however, allows us to experience emotions while not becoming trapped by them. While non-attached, we still care.

But in caring, we don’t discriminate—feeling love for one person and antipathy for another. While non-attached, we also let go of worries and expectations. Fully engaged in what we do, we realize our actions are all we control.

As Master Kuang-ch’in said, “Non-attachment does not mean indifference or carelessness, but rather you should do your best and not worry about the results.”

Neither do we detach from our body. We wisely realize that it’s not permanent, not our true self. It’s a temporary dwelling for this lifetime. In taking care of it, we seek a balance between asceticism and hedonism.

Those I know who are non-attached are some of the most engaged, hard-working, and cheerful people I know. They’re a joy to be around. Just thinking of them makes me smile.