VIDEO LINK: Dropping Attachment to Preferences (Excerpt)
In the pursuit of spiritual awakening, a profound transformation often occurs. As consciousness deepens, a person’s attachment to preferences diminishes. This transformative journey is elegantly articulated by Adyashanti, a respected spiritual teacher and author, whose teachings inspire countless individuals on their spiritual paths.
Table of Contents
The Nature of Preferences and Attachments
Adyashanti elucidates that as one becomes more conscious and spiritually aware, many preferences and attachments naturally fall away. Preferences, which may have once seemed pivotal, begin to lose their grip.
This shift signifies a movement away from seeing preferences as absolutely true or final and towards understanding them as simply personal inclinations, devoid of ultimate truth. According to Adyashanti, “A preference is just a preference; it isn’t right or wrong.”
When attachments to preferences arise, they can distort perceptions and foster rigid ideologies or fundamentalism. This can be as trivial as insisting on a favorite flavor of ice cream as the best. However, as spiritual evolution progresses, individuals realize that preferences do not hold ultimate truth. They become less attached, perceiving them with greater clarity and detachment.
The Plateau Phase
A significant hallmark of spiritual awakening is the diminishment of attachments, which can sometimes lead to a sense of flatness or emptiness. Adyashanti describes this stage as a “plateau phase,” where the zest or energy derived from attachments wanes.
This phase may feel confusing, both to the individual and those around them, who may perceive a change in their previously animated demeanor.
Despite the absence of struggle during this plateau, remnants of the ego may cling to the safety and comfort found in this phase. It may result in a stale, monotonous experience of living. Nonetheless, this stage is but a transition.
Beyond this plateau lies an “uncaused sense of well-being,” a deeper vitality and aliveness that is not dependent on external accomplishments or validations.
Discovering Uncaused Well-Being
As attachment to preferences falls away, individuals begin to experience a profound sense of well-being that is intrinsic and uncaused. This well-being is unique; it is an inherent vitality that arises from within rather than from external achievements or possessions. According to Adyashanti, well-being is “its own sort of energy, its own sort of vitality.”
This transition involves a deeper inquiry into the nature of this uncaused well-being. It requires letting go in a profound way to allow this intrinsic sense of being to emerge as the undercurrent of life. While temporary glimpses of this state may occur through peak experiences, lasting transformation requires enduring the plateau phase and truly letting go of residual attachments.
Embracing a New Way of Being
Emerging from this plateau, individuals encounter a new way of being. They move beyond deriving their sense of vitality from external sources, and instead, tap into an inner, uncaused sense of well-being.
This transformation is not about attaining a new kind of zeal or zest, but about experiencing a deeper, more genuine vitality.
This transition and the resulting sense of uncaused well-being redefine the experience of living, moving away from attachments and towards a state of intrinsic aliveness. The process requires patience and deep inquiry, but ultimately leads to a more authentic and spiritually awakened way of being.
For further insights and to delve deeper into these spiritual teachings, consider watching the embedded video featuring Adyashanti above.
Recommended Reading
“The Direct Way: Thirty Practices to Evoke Awakening” by Adyashanti is a transformative guide for those on a spiritual journey, offering a clear and accessible approach to self-realization. Adyashanti presents thirty concise practices designed to help readers connect with their true nature, bypassing the complexities of traditional spiritual paths.
These exercises emphasize direct experience over intellectual understanding, guiding readers to cultivate awareness, stillness, and presence. With practical insights and gentle encouragement, this book serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their connection to the present moment and awaken to the deeper truths of existence.
——
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services that we believe will add value to our readers. Thank you for your support!