The Art of Non-Attachment

 


Algernon with Flower
Pencil and colored pencils

Life experiences, combined with personal spiritual practices and studies, have taught me the importance, value, and necessity of not looking outwardly for validation, self-worth, or identity. Refraining from dependency on external factors for fulfillment has led to a more balanced and contented life, increased confidence, and the ability to give back to people on an individual level, and to the world as a whole, with greater ease and sincerity. This simple (but not always easy to apply in practice) concept has enabled me to live more authentically, and regularly reduces decision fatigue, as I am not perpetually striving for the next material thing, stressing over things far out of my control, or taking actions based on someone else’s expectations. 

One of the common themes found in the teachings of the Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism, is the concept of non-attachment. The teachers, methods, and spiritual ends are different in each tradition, and it is illustrated by the cultural norms, history, beliefs, and practices of their respective times, but the principle of non-attachment is found in each one. 

In the Bible, Jesus says that no one can follow him as a disciple unless they renounce their possessions (The Gospel of Luke).

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says to do the work, but to not be attached to the outcome.

One of Buddhism’s core principles is that the root of suffering is attachment. To practice non-attachment is to break the cycle of suffering. 

When I get an email from an agent, publisher, or company with the “thanks but no thanks” message it is deflating in the moment. However, receiving declines does not discourage me from continuing to submit my work, and I do not take them personally, and I even occasionally use the disappointment as fuel for my creativity.

Also, when sharing my art on social media,  hearing that my art has brightened someone’s day, or that they think I would be a great children’s book illustrator, is beyond-words-amazing. It is motivating, rewarding, and inspiring to get positive feedback about my work, and makes receiving a decline that much easier, as I know my art is liked and appreciated. 

This foundational principle of non-attachment has been instrumental in my pursuit on the artistic path (as well as in other aspects of my life). While I am far from perfect in my efforts, I do attempt to practice it. That must be why it’s called a “practice” and not a “perfect”.  

    
      
      
 
 
 
  
      
 
  
     
   


Popular posts from this blog

Series: A Capsule Kitchen: An Introduction + Minimalist Everyday Bread Recipe

Image
  This is the first post in a new series I’ve opted to call “A Capsule Kitchen”, which I will be incorporating into my blog every other month. Typically, I write about art and creativity, with the occasional off-topic piece peppered in for a bit of variety. This year, I came up with the idea of “A Capsule Kitchen”, and thought it would be a fun addition. Each post in the series will feature a tried-and-true recipe that is in regular rotation in my household. For the introduction of the series, I thought it might be helpful to provide some context and a brief background, before starting things off with a simple staple recipe. My husband and I eat a vegan diet, and I do the cooking and baking, which I enjoy, especially now that I have a curated collection of trusty go-tos we both like and that are easy to prepare. We are decidedly unfancy when it comes to our food preferences, both by choice and necessity, which will be clear from the recipes I will be sharing. I decided to call the seri
Read more

Nothing Special

Image
A pre-pandemic photo of me taken at the Oregon Coast A few days ago, I had to acknowledge to myself that the piece I’d been working on for this month's blog post was just not coming together in the way that I wanted it to. Rather than finishing it in haste, I decided to put it aside for the time being. This meant I needed to come up with something for September ASAP, so I opted for a simple and brief personal post that wasn’t as mentally taxing to write. My posts are typically focused on art and the creative process, and less on my personal life (of course, there is a bit of overlap, since life influences art, and vice versa, but you get the idea), so I hope this piece is a fun read. A Collection of Some of my Favorite Things: Favorite flavor: Pumpkin Favorite TV show: Star Trek (the original) Favorite film director(s): Federico Fellini and Charlie Chaplin Favorite childhood movie: The Explorers Favorite book(s): The Razor’s Edge by William Somerset Maugham, and Lost Horizon by J
Read more

Series: A Capsule Kitchen: Minimalist Cornbread

Image
This simple and humble cornbread is one of my husband's favorites, so I typically bake it once or twice a week. I have it streamlined to just 5 ingredients, which are inexpensive and always on hand. Years ago, we occasionally bought cornbread, and I feel like such a sucker now, as making it at home is so easy, which is why I wanted to share this recipe for fluffy, yummy, cheap and easy cornbread.  Minimalist Cornbread Supplies 8” round baking pan Measuring cup Measuring spoons Spatual Mixing bowl Cooling rack or cutting board Ingredients ( Dry ) 1 cup all-purpose flour (whole wheat flour also works well, and gives it a bit of a rustic taste and  texture)  1 cup cornmeal 1 tablespoon baking powder ( Wet ) ¼ cup vegetable oil 1 cup water (I've used almond milk, but found water works just fine, and is much more cost-effective) Optional ingredients   Pinch of salt A drizzle of agave or maple syrup, if you like a sweeter flavor Grated vegan cheese or a sprinkling of nutritional yeas
Read more