Embracing Rootlessness

Desire, attachments are the cause of suffering. Desire is the second of the Four Noble Truths. Life is suffering, and the cause of this suffering is our attachments and desires.

Life has been such that I woke up this morning and came up with the phrase that described my current situation: “Embracing Rootlessness.” So many of us seek out stability—we find comfort in the idea of a permanent home. However, nothing is permanent. When we find that we’re attached to anything, even if it is a very good thing, we open ourselves up to suffering. For that which we think is permanent, when it proves not to be, causes suffering.

Nonattachment is something I have taught about for over 30 years. It’s a difficult concept to understand, and even more difficult to try and put into practice. I know because I’ve been working at nonattachment for most of my life (good thing I hold to the “it’s the path, not the destination” philosophy). When I can muster up a whiff of nonattachment, even that whiff does bring some relief. Saying “I am embracing rootlessness” decreases the tenseness in my chest and the pressure behind my eyeballs. Let’s see how much more relief I can cultivate as I continue to practice embracing my rootlessness!