A Meditation for Attachment

Everyone's attached to something. Once the object of your attachment is gone, you go through this period of suffering. Everything in life is impermanent so why form this attachment to something that will eventually leave? How do you detach yourself from something you care about so much? Try the exercise below to help loosen your attachments.

1. Think about the object of your attachment and the pain you feel over losing it. Let yourself really feel this pain and discomfort. Become your witness and observe these feelings from an objective point of view.
2. Write down what you are attached to, along with other aspects of the object that you are attached to. If it's a person, write down who you are attached to along with the aspects of that person you are attached to. Write down what parts of the relationship you are attached to and the things you don't want to lose from it. Write about which of these aspects benefit you and what you think you will lose if these aspects disappear. What part of you needs these things? Why? You may also be attached to certain emotions or ideas, such as your job, money, success, anger, victimization, or the need to be right.
3. Listen to the stories and feelings your body and mind bring up about losing your object of attachment. Write these down. Next to them, write down the truth about losing them.
4. Make a list of what this attachment is costing you. How much energy are you spending on it? How much time and energy spent on your attachment could you devote to another area of your life?
5. Evaluate the reason for this attachment. What's the lesson to be learned?
6. Meditate on withdrawing your energy from this attachment. Imagine how your life would be if you still had this attachment, you never lost it and your life turned out exactly as planned. Once you have these feelings of excitement built up, move your attachment away from you so that there's a clear separation. Send appreciation towards it and thank it for the lessons it has given you. As your attachment leaves, release your hold on it. Pull back all of your energy that you were spending on it. Now picture the things you can invest your energy in instead. See the energy you just pulled back connecting with these aspects of your life. Visualize these new aspects filling any remaining emptiness you may feel from losing your object of attachment. Let these aspects fill you with positive energy and strength. Offer a last goodbye to your attachment and let it go.