Virtue of the Week – Detachment
Virtue of the Week focuses on building peaceful and caring communities through understanding and fostering the practice of virtues. The Source supports the Virtues Project and will publish one virtue developed by the project each week.
Detachment
Detachment is experiencing our feelings without allowing them to control us. We step back and look at things objectively. We let go and accept what we cannot change. We detach from the choices of others. We choose how we will act instead of reacting. We step away from harmful cravings. It is a deep breath of peace and patience in response to fleeting emotions. We can listen without losing ourselves. We see our mistakes honestly, make amends and start afresh. It frees us to lead our lives with grace, knowing that all things have a cycle of rebirth.
Quote: “He who would be serene and pure needs but one thing, detachment.” -Meister Eckhart
The Practice of Detachment
I recognize my feelings without letting them control me.
I resist interfering with the lessons of others.
I choose to act instead of reacting.
I free myself from impulses and cravings.
I listen, to understand.
I have the humility to amend my mistakes.
Questions for Discussion
- How can detachment help us in social justice work? How might it hinder us?
- Is there anything that may cause us to react before choosing how we will act?
- What impulses may derail our social justice work?
- How may power play a role in interfering with other’s spiritual lessons?
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Virtue of the Week is provided by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) in partnership with the VI Source and Virtues Matter.
Since 1990, CFVI has been a catalyst for positive change in the territory through initiatives committed to youth, learning, family support and the environment. With a professional staff and a volunteer Board of Directors composed of community leaders, CFVI is a trusted advocate and supporter of programs that ensure opportunity and sustainability for current and future generations. CFVI is a registered non-profit organization entirely supported by individual donors, grants, trusts, corporate donations and estate planning. For more information, visit cfvi.net.
About Virtues Matter Virtues Matter was started by a passionate wife-husband team of social entrepreneurs seeking to positively uplift as many lives as possible. We aim to inspire and empower, to build capacity, strengthen relationships, and help everyone lead lives of passion and purpose.
Virtues Matter believes in a world where people are committed to kindness and respect, strive to be their best, and live with hope, courage and in unity. We built the Virtues Cards mobile app, an interactive personal and team development tool, to help people identify and develop key virtue skills. We also offer dynamic workshops, online training, and customized programs to help people cultivate these positive qualities of character. To learn more, visit virtuesmatter.com.
To learn more about the Virtues Project, visit www.virtuesproject.com.
