Karma Management:  Attachment, Detachment and Non-attachment

We have discussed definition of karma, karma sanyas (giving up of routine mundane actions) and sakam karma (desire driven actions).  The one other kind left to discuss is nishkam karma (action without any attachment).  It is important to understand attachment, detachment and non-attachment.

Attachment is an acquired phenomenon.  A child is not born with attachment.  We teach attachment to the child as we develop our attachment to the child as well.  The attachment is quite subtle and deep at the same time.  As the child grows, he or she becomes part of the parents’ and grandparents’ existence.

This happens all around us.  I used to play tennis.  I had a tennis friend circle.  Now I have become more of golf player and I now have a golf friend circle.  We sometimes go together to Bermuda for a golf vacation, mix together, eat together, play together and bond together.  This bonding is nothing but deepening our attachment to each other. 

Sakam Karma: Desire driven actions.

What it is not:

Many translate sakam karma as ‘selfish actions.’   I think it is far from the truth. In that respect, Buddha was a selfish man; he left his wife and children for selfish interests.   Sakam karma is not necessarily bad