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Chapter 1: Background
Detachment, etc. are meaningful, if accompanied by knowledge of Self; the knowledge of Self can be attained if detachment,
etc. are used with the right purpose.
Explanation & Discussion:
The detachment, renouncement, etc. should come out of the true knowledge of soul. Very often people feel detachment due to physical pain, emotional distress, loss of a dear one, or material loss. Such detachment is not derived by understanding the transitory nature of all the worldly objects. Hence it is only temporary and does not last. Those people would again be attracted towards worldly pleasures later on. Under the influence of temporary detachment, they may renounce and may go back to the worldly life later. This happens, because their detachment is not born of true knowledge. Therefore it is stated here that detachment is worthwhile, if it is associated with the knowledge of Self.
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The knowledge of Self is thus a prerequisite for lasting detachment. In order to realize that soul is different from the body and is free from craving, aversion and all types of mental defilement, it is necessary to secure appropriate guidance of the realized persons and to contemplate on what they teach. That is the way to gain true knowledge. Thereby one would realize the essentially temporary nature of the worldly life and lose interest therein. Detachment for the worldly aspects would naturally occur to him. Only that type of detachment lasts. Since the lasting detachment thus comes out of true knowledge, it can be termed as indicative of having gained enlightenment. From
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