Detachment
Swami says that it is not possible to give up the objects of this world, but if we can give up our sense of possessiveness we can be happy. He explains ‘detachment’ as follows:
Detachment refers to realizing the temporary nature of objects and not allowing the mind to get attached to these transient things. It does not necessarily mean that you feel disgust or hatred for them, it means that you feel no mental attachment toward them. Totally giving up all the objects of the phenomenal world is not possible. However, you can give up your “myness,” your sense of possessiveness. Once you give that up, then you can go ahead and enjoy the various objects of the world; they will not cause any harm. In the phenomenal world, every thing, every person, and every object undergoes change. The world consists of three main types of change: growth, existence, and decay. These are changes to which all objects are subjected. To delude yourself into thinking that this transient, impermanent world is really permanent, and to become attached to the various objects in it, is very foolish, indeed.
Detachment involves more than just recognizing the defects and weaknesses in objects, which result from their transitory nature. Detachment also involves the positive quality or getting the most out of the objects of the world. You should always strive to make the best use of an object and appreciate it for what it is. Just recognizing the limitation and the sorrow that objects of the world produce will not confer much joy on you. You must also know how to properly use them to do your duty in the world, then you will acquire some satisfaction. In the larger sense, it is really giving up worldly sorrow and gaining atmic bliss that is true detachment.
Detachment gives peace even amidst troubles. The world is like a shining drop of water that collects on a lotus leaf. It quivers and shakes without being steady. Heaps of attachments will fill the life of man. Trouble and sorrow constitute the screen on which the world shows itself.
As a drop of water on a lotus leaf disappears in no time, we should know that our life is transient and will disappear very much like that, in no time. The world is full of sorrow and the human body is full of disease. Our life is full of turbulent thoughts and is like a dilapidated house. Under these conditions, according to Shankara, it is possible to live in a peaceful manner by following the divine path and getting over all our worldly attachments. So long as one does not know who he is, one cannot escape these sorrows. So long as one does not realize the presence of God in everything, one cannot escape this sorrow. [All need to] understand that to be born, to grow, to live, and to die is only for one purpose and that is to understand the nature of atma tatwa (divine principle).
Detachment endows you with the capacity to internalize your vision, it allows you to introvert your mind and dwell on the inner beauties.
Digest 2, pp. 91-92
