What is the difference between "detachment" and "apathy" ... read below ...?

Question

In a Spiritual sense they say you should be "detached" from the results of your efforts. I know it doesn't mean to "not care" about the results, but it sure sounds like that is what is being said. Can someone please elaborate on the concept of being "Detached" without being apathetic? ... Examples would be helpful, too

Answer 1

Good question.

To try to elucidate the difference, I will begin by proposing this: When one is detached, one does what is right to do, and leaves the results to God. When apathetic, one does what may be accidentally right or what might very well be wrong, and doesn't care what happens either way.

In other words, a person who practices true detachment does care about his or her own behavior, his or her own thoughts--and the person seeks to behave and think well, because the person values that which is right, honorable, and true. A person who practices apathy does not care whether his or her own behavior is right, honorable, and true. An apathetic person is ambivalent about truth and right and wrong, whereas a detached person is focused on truth and knows there is a right, and knows that it is better than a wrong.

An example: I want to help someone who is struggling. I take their phone calls (instead of pre-screening), have coffee with them and talk, point out possible errors in their thought process, encourage them to seek strength and guidance, and comfort them through their trials. Whether or not they overcome that with which they are struggling is not up to me. I am detached from the results of my efforts. But my efforts must be earnest--and I must follow through with my word--because I know that earnestness and integrity are right. That is, I am earnest and accountable to keep my own heart and head right, and whatever benefits or lack thereof the person I'm trying to help receives are entirely up to them.

If I am apathetic, then I don't care to show up on time, don't care if what I say is true or not, and don't care whether or not I have compassion for the struggling person. I think, "It doesn't matter anyhow," and so I don't do my best. Or I can be self-willed, "caring" way too much, and I try to force or coerce the other person to do exactly as I say. This is not detachment either.

I hope that this helps explain the difference a bit. If you would like further information, please get in touch.

Answer 2

Detachment is having no emotional stake in the outcome of things in your life. For instance, my house is for sale and I really want it to sell, but I am also detached from the outcome because I have no control over it. It's not that I'm apathetic...apathetic means not to care about the outcome. I do care, but I'm not going to get all emotionally involved with whatever happens. I'll take what comes and go with the flow. Shalom!

Answer 3

Detachment is realizing that there are somethings I just can't control. Once I realize this then I stop trying to control them.

Example: I'm a street performer. I really care about my art and it is important to me. I spend a great deal of time practicing and polishing my show. I video tape it. I ask friends to watch and make suggestions. I can be pretty passionate about it. But, when I'm on the street I have to let all of that go and let the performance be the performance and the audience be the audience.

If I have some guy standing in the front row scowling at me I can't spend my energy and try and fix him. I detach and let him have his problems.

If I blow a trick I have to let it go and keep going. I detach from my mistakes. Now I learn from my mistake and I try not to make it again. But I do not let that mistake define me.

Answer 4

Detachment would be a separation from what one knows is occuring. Apathy would be a failure to care. One can be apathetic without being detached. One may become detached additionally from mental failure, but this would not be apathetic, as apathy indicates a knowing failure to care...

In the sense that you indicate, I believe the statement that one should be detached indicates that one should not pridefully assert involvement in one's accomplishments.

Answer 5

Apathy is easy. Detachment requires effort. Constant effort.

Answer 6

Do not define yourself by the results of your efforts. Define yourself by the quality of the life you live.

If you are able to do something without defining yourself by the results then you are detached from it. You are not your job, bank account, car you own, house you live in, clothes you wear.

You ARE a human being and by that I mean you are defined by how you treat others, the character you display in the face of adversity, your ability to control your impulses and emotions.

Apathy is just a lack of emotion.

Answer 7

Don't know
Don't care

(truly; to not have knowledge [or disavow] or to not to even care at all. )