“From the Ancient Wisdoms to Quantum Physics,
It's All About the Energy!”
Detach, But Don’t Be Detached!©
Dennis L. Dossett
(All Rights Reserved)
Maitreya (one of my wisest teachers) often speaks of “trapped” or “unused” energies as one of the major issues we need to deal with during our time here on the earth plane. He often speaks of “detaching” from these energies because they prevent us from progressing in soul evolution as well as being the primary cause of much physical pain, disease, and emotional/psychological dis-ease.
Many people complain that they just “can’t easily detach” from trapped energy, and I understand that fully through my own experience. What bugs me is when they turn it around proclaiming that Aquarians are lucky because they are “so detached” from such emotions (I have four planets and my Part of Fortune—all in the 12th house—plus my Ascendant—all in Aquarius). Little do they know that Aquarians often have very deep and intense emotions, and little do they understand that learning to grow through them is one of the great challenges for strong Aquarians. But I digress.
My point is that each and every one of us has trapped or unused energy to deal with, and that we approach dealing with it in different ways according to our chosen lessons and karma outlined in our individual life plan, our astrological natal or birth chart. I have found that many people misunderstand (or at least misuse) these words, often leading to confusion and miscommunication. The words “detached,” “detachment,” and “detach” in the English language are clearly related, but the noun and verb forms actually have very different meanings which can lead to misuse and consequently to misunderstanding. Let’s look at the relevant Merriam-Webster Dictionary entries for these words:
Detached: noun; Separate, unconnected; exhibiting an aloof objectivity usually free from prejudice or self-interest.
Detachment: noun; indifference to worldly concerns: aloofness.
Note that neither of these words really has anything to do with what Maitreya means when he says “Give it no energy.” (See my blogs, “Give It No Energy!” – Part I and “Give It No Energy!” – Part II)
Detach: verb; to separate, to disengage or to withdraw from.
Detaching from negative (“trapped”) emotional energy is a good thing, but most often ends up in the psychological processes of repression and/or denial—not at all what Maitreya means either. So, what is the nature of “attachment” to unused energy that Maitreya refers to so frequently?
Attachment: noun; the state of being personally attached; a strong emotional bond; fidelity. Synonyms for this word include: affection, devotion, fondness, love, and passion.
Attach: verb; to bring (oneself) into an association, to bind by personal ties (including emotions of affection, sympathy, anger, fear, etc.), to make fast (as by tying or gluing). I particularly like the image of the last one in the form of “to adhere.”
Here is the key to Maitreya's meaning: the attachment we experience to trapped or unused energy is based on strong emotions that we just can’t easily let go of. There is, indeed, a strong emotional bond (adherence) to such energy. But realize that Maitreya specifically states that this “commitment” is to trapped energy, that is, negative emotions, not positive emotions. Indeed, Maitreya constantly reminds us that the primary purpose of life on the earth plane is to detach from (withdraw commitment to) the emotional body.
The “devotion” we so freely give to the emotional body is simply based on the “comfort zone” of conditioning and relative certainty regarding an unknown future. In short, it is based on fear. It is not that people love or are fond of fear, but that they are “attached” (adhere) to the emotional body as the “comfort zone” primarily through denial and/or repression of fearful emotions and associated thoughts.
The important point is that denial and/or repression are simply two forms of “detachment” from the underlying emotional energy. Letting go of that energy is the key to releasing and eventually healing it. I love the following definition of “letting go”:
• “Letting go does not mean forgetting; it just means we stop carrying the energy of the past into the present.” ~ Yung Pueblo (pen name of Diego Perez; meditator, author, & speaker)
In other words, “letting go” involves acknowledging the trapped emotional energy and then consciously choosing to take control of it rather than it taking control of us. Repression and denial—“detachment” of any kind—simply have no place in this approach. So, what does “letting go” actually entail? Maitreya (channeled by Margaret McElroy) refers to this over 30 times in his writings. For example:
• “Let go of the need to be right, to be the victor. Do not give anything any energy. What does it matter except to the Self who has to do this, because this is what it thinks it must do because of habit over years of life. Just walk away. Let it become the other person's problem, not yours. Give it no energy at all. You will soon see a difference in your life. Yes, there will be the sadness of letting go. Perhaps the situation has been happening over many incarnations. However, one soon heals. Just remember that. The healing process starts immediately—as soon as you let go!” ~ Maitreya (Newsletter #323)
• “The purpose of the soul on the Earth plane is to grow. The soul has lived many incarnations, and it is working to free itself from attachment, desire, greed—all of the emotional ties which tie many of you to the earth plane. It is about faith, it is about trust, it is about surrender to a higher power. Yes, it is about letting go of the Self. The Higher Self will always lead you to safety and, may I say, to a better life and better conditions. It does not want you to live in a negative way. It does not control either, but suggests the higher way.” ~ Maitreya (Newsletter #243)
• “So many souls think that the path to the spiritual is easy. They expect reward and material possessions. Being spiritual means letting go of all material needs, trusting that the spiritual realms will bring all that you need. It means having total faith. You can say, ‘But Master, if I let go I will have nothing,’ and I will say to you, ‘When you let go, we can then provide.’ Letting go of the Self is the hardest lesson of all.” ~ Maitreya (Newsletter #246)
When Maitreya says (as he so often does) “Give it no energy,” he is referring specifically to “letting go.” The end product of letting go (detaching) is not detachment, it is non-attachment. Non-attachment is the end result of the process of healing (detaching) and is necessary for progress in soul growth as well as every positive aspect of life (spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical) on the earth plane.
The essence of nonattachment is letting go of anything and everything that does not serve you. Detachment (or being detached) from this “stuff” (including negative emotions) is only covering it up; it is not healing it. Detachment is not good. Detaching from any part of life to the point of becoming detached is allowing your Self to gain control of an otherwise positive process. Detachment is a seriously imbalanced end result and only strengthens trapped energy. Detachment only prolongs the suffering and holds you back.
When you are detached (bottling it up, not letting go), you are constantly on guard on a subconscious level and you cannot live life to the fullest. But you are on this earth plane to engage fully with life, to maximize your opportunities to learn to become a better version of yourself. That can only happen when the trapped energy is not only released, but is actually healed (non-attachment). Only then can all your life energies flow freely to bring balance among them and, consequently, alignment with Higher Self. Only then can you truly en-joy life—to infuse your life with the joy that every one of my wisest teachers says is your birthright.
In short, the battle, indeed the war, between the Self and the Higher Self is all about non-attachment, not detachment. There is a tremendous difference between them, and the sooner one recognizes that and acts on it, the sooner they will be able to progress in all areas of life.
I look forward to your joining me in the trenches of this battle to create non-attachment for ourselves. I certainly need all the allies in this war that I can get!
Have a great month!
Dennis