In her live Vibe with Venerables episode (Episode #11, recorded on 15 June 2025, US Pacific Time), Venerable Damcho gave a guided meditation on taking the ache out of attachments.
The guided meditation, excerpted:
Taking the ache out of attachment
“Based on a superimposition or exaggeration of the positive qualities of a person, object, idea, etc., attachment is an attitude that clings to an object as the source of happiness. Attachment differs from positive aspiration. For example, being attached to money is different from having a positive aspiration to learn the Dharma.
Reflect:
- How does your attachment make you act? For example, do you disregard your ethical standards to get what you’re attached to? Do you get into dysfunctional relationships? Do you become manipulative or aggressive?”
- What things, people, places, ideas, etc. are you attached to? Make specific examples.
- How does that person or thing appear to you? Does it really have all the qualities you perceive and attribute to it?
- Do you develop unreal expectations of the person or thing, thinking that it will always be there, will continuously make you happy, etc.?
Conclusion: See attachment not as your friend bringing you happiness, but as a thief destroying your peace of mind. Recognizing the disadvantages of attachment helps to let go of it.
If you prefer to have this on a PDF, you can view it [here] too.
