Teaching 40: The Fifth Insight: Abandoning Clinging
With the Fifth Insight, the Buddha instructs you to abandon attachment to getting what you desire….The Buddha isn’t telling you to discard your desires…nor is [he] telling you to stop caring about things that of course you care about. Rather he is directing you to a new relationship to caring…caring without demanding, loving without imposing conditions, and moving toward your goals without attachment to outcome.
Chapter 10, Pg 95 & 102
For your reflection: It takes tremendous courage to care without attachment because to care without clinging feels vulnerable. Over the next few days, watch your relationship to both short term and long term goals. Start letting loose of any tension around achieving the outcomes you desire. Notice how uncomfortable and even confusing this initially feels.