Do you recognise the impermanent nature of the world?

Question

If so, why do you attach yourself to "things" and people and expect to find your happiness in them?

But if your wife leaves you there will be unimaginable pain, you will probably feel like a limb has been ripped off.

That is what I am saying, yes - enjoy these things, but do not attach yourselves to them or let them form a part of your identity.

Answer 1

Yes, I do realize the impermanence of the world. Human nature is to attach to objects and there is nothing wrong with that. My wife of 35 years gave me a ring when we met. I highly value that ring, it means the world to me and brings me happiness. There is nothing wrong with that, in fact I find it touching that she feels the same way about a ring I gave her. It brings pleasure in that it is symbolic of the relationship.

Things are things, but enjoy them. You are on the right track but loosen up a bit and enjoy and have fun with "things." :)
j

Answer 2

I'd like to answer this very good question from a Buddhist perpective if I may be so permitted. I may be able to contribute some insight for discussion and comparison with the other fine answers here. Buddhists consider the consciousness in many aspects of the philosophy and yes, I've recognised this phenomenon for many years. Attachment to self serving desires can be the cause of many negative consciousness issues, whereas selfless desires cause the opposite in my experience.

You're correct in that we should detach some things from our life and consciousness, those things which are self serving and of a selfish nature. Happiness is not in attachment but in detachment from these self serving desires, attachment to things is irrelevent if it does no intrinsic harm to others and gives you some measure of peace and tranquility.

Pardon my references to Buddhist practise, it is not my intent to cause offence by refering to the more esoteric practises, but the psychological implications of some practises are relevent and need no "belief" for their use.

Peace from a Buddhist...

Answer 3

Sounds like Buddhism. There is a way to attach yourself to things of the world only temporarily, for ordinary purposes of life, and to enjoy them fully, but to be prepared to give them up when the time comes. Otherwise, one would be left with nihilistically rejecting everything and just waiting for his time to die, which is neither productive nor enjoyable.

Answer 4

It is said that a perfect yogi would walk through a beautiful garden along his path, enjoy it to the maximum, pass through the gate at the other end, and not miss the garden at all and not crave a repeat of the pleasure.