Some spiritual teachers urge us to practice detachment. Detachment is a popular teaching in Eastern religious philosophy. Joshua teaches that the benefits of letting go are wonderful when the practice of detaching is about releasing expectations or the desire to control people or events. Joshua urges us to live our oneness. Any concepts that create notions of separation are counterproductive. All separation is an illusion, so we cannot be detached from our power to create and influence reality. From Joshua’s point of view, being detached is an illusion if we think we may be separate from personal, local, or global events. If we deny involvement with the events occurring in the mirror, the practice of detachment is misunderstood. Such denial impedes our ability to see deeply into the whole self, the One.
Living on the beloved planet as a human being, we naturally have attachments that are perfectly designed. For example, we are attached to our physical survival. Being attached to survival leads to expectations around specific outcomes. Such as, when I drive, I am attached to my safe arrival at my destination. Wrapped within this goal I hold an expectation that other drivers are alert and following the rules of the road. Yet, I know that my safe arrival is not guaranteed. Driving is a risk that I take. Another example would include allowing a surgeon to operate on my body. I hold a healthy expectation that the surgeon and the medical team are strongly attached to having a successful outcome. I expect this team to be alert and careful, but I accept there is no guarantee. Both examples demonstrate how we allow ourselves to develop expectations regarding the behavior of others while accepting a risk.
In the mental and emotional arena, we awaken to understand how our feelings affect our vibration and how our vibration attracts people and events into our lives. All people, no matter how good we may judge them to be, experience unpleasant and challenging life events. If we claim that we are not involved and play no part in the event, it is Joshua’s opinion that we missed an opportunity to see more deeply into the whole self, the One. I have learned The Seventh Major Understanding well enough to recognize that I am One with All That Is, so I cannot separate or detach from the One and the events manifesting here now.
To avoid potential misunderstanding around the word detachment, Joshua prefers to teach the practice of letting go or releasing thoughts and feelings that hinder our joyful and loving experience of life. Joshua recognizes that the highest intention of the Hindu teaching of detachment is equal to releasing limiting expectations and beliefs. Joshua is simply cautious about the English words he uses to ensure focus on oneness.
The practice of letting go or releasing expectations of others is selective. There is no right or wrong about it, and you must judge for yourself which beliefs or expectations to let go. Holding intentions for the highest good, and intending to do your best, is best achieved when expectations of outcome are released. The practice of releasing rigid beliefs that no longer serve the best good is as easy as opening your hands. By that I mean it occurs without internal resistance. Holding tightly on to inflexible beliefs and expectations requires effort. How much effort do you want to invest? Let that simple question be your internal compass. You cannot make a mistake, and you cannot do it wrong. Please repeat after me: I am loved just as I am. I love you.