Love and Attachment

What most people are hurt from is attachment, which they confuse with love and then starts their whole equation of love equals to pain.

It’s very fascinating, the idea of how love is being misused in every way possible. Take the example of Self-Love, a person who is fat and says I love my body out of self-love is using love as an excuse. A person who loves himself or herself would do everything possible to keep themselves in healthy state.

When we look at the story of Mahabharat, we can exactly know what the difference between Love and Attachment is. Drona, the guru of the Pandavas and Kauravas had a son, Ashwatthama. In the name of love, Drona did everything possible to spoil his child. Love would have been giving the child values and making him capable enough so that he can earn well and live a life without hardships. Attachment is, I will provide him everything needed so that he doesn’t have to go through things I went through. Another example is, when you like a flower, or you’re attached to it, you pluck it, you want it for yourself. But, when you love a flower you water it every day, you make sure it is in good conditions to grow and everyone can enjoy its fragrance.

It’s this clear distinction between love and attachment what makes us come out of our confusion and suffering. We mistake love with attachment and vice-versa because we were never told that in fact these things are opposite. Doesn’t mean attachment is a bad thing, but it’s not what makes life beautiful. Out of all the things we value freedom the most, that’s what love offers, freedom. Attachment is Bondage, Love is freedom. If we realize this simple truth, our lives and of those around us would be much more peaceful.