Thoughts on "Fire Within," Chapter 8: The Freedom of Detachment
“Only your love can truly satisfy” sings in the background. Detachment is letting go of those things that are outside of God. When we fill our lives with brief pleasures, comforts and worldly attachments, we clutter up the space that is meant for God.
Dubay writes that “It would not be going to far to say that in proportion as one is stripped of all self-centered seeking, so the capacity for deep, calm, enduring delight is heightened.”
Three signs of attachment that keep us from living in the fullness of communion with God are: 1. Diverting something or some activity from the purpose God intended for it. This is evident by our maneuvering, deceiving, lying, trying to gain an unjust advantage to gain some end (obtain or sustain the activity or thing). 2. Excess use of something. Wherever there is excess, it is evidence of attachment. 3. Making means into ends. Whenever we use anything for our own self-centered sake, including seeking rewards from God, we have an attachment.[1]
When we live a detached life that is an open vessel for God to fill, undistracted by selfish desires, we are saying with our lives “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
According to John, as Dubay notes, we need to approach surrendering of our attachments with solid determination. He goes on to say, many desire that God does not cost them anything more than words in prayer. However, if they are not willing to search diligently for God, they will not find Him.
It is not a chore to eliminate any attachments to life. As Dubay writes, “Anyone who is deeply in love instinctively wants to give everything to the beloved, and anything that is an obstacle to union with the loved one is gladly surrendered.”
“For me to live is Jesus, for me to die is gain” sings in the background.
It is okay not to have time for anything that does not draw one closer to God or has God at the center. According to Dubay, St. Francis of Assisi wrote that a man who is truly seeking God with a pure heart does not have time for things of the world. We are to let go of everything that does not lead to God. Whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, all we do is to be for the glory of God.
“Prepare me for your love” sings in the background. Dubay writes that one becomes ablaze with burning love for God when no hindrance comes from the outside -"the soul remains alone with God and is thoroughly prepared to become enkindled."
“Draw me closer in every way” sings. We can have a tender love for others, yet resolve not to waste time in idle talk or gossip with them. Contemplation and self-indulgence do not mix. We cannot both seek the pleasures of the world and also seek God fully. Contemplation requires fasting, discipline and silence as St. Teresa notes.
So how do I know if I have attachments? According to St. Teresa of Avila, “One who seeks delight in God alone finds peace and joy no matter what happens.” Whenever I am feeling discontented, it is due to some sort of worldly attachment.
Lord, “You have ravished my heart completely.” As this sings in the background, I so long to be totally yours and detached from the world completely. I long to have a deeper and more meaningful prayer life. Please have mercy on me and draw me deeper into a contemplative prayer life. Show me where I need to detach from the world. Please empower me with your Spirit to follow you. I long to be totally yours!
“My heart does cry for the warmth of your embrace, to see the smile on your face… The deepest longings of my heart are filled in You.”
[1] Dubay, Thomas, S.M., Fire Within, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA 1989
Dubay writes that “It would not be going to far to say that in proportion as one is stripped of all self-centered seeking, so the capacity for deep, calm, enduring delight is heightened.”
Three signs of attachment that keep us from living in the fullness of communion with God are: 1. Diverting something or some activity from the purpose God intended for it. This is evident by our maneuvering, deceiving, lying, trying to gain an unjust advantage to gain some end (obtain or sustain the activity or thing). 2. Excess use of something. Wherever there is excess, it is evidence of attachment. 3. Making means into ends. Whenever we use anything for our own self-centered sake, including seeking rewards from God, we have an attachment.[1]
When we live a detached life that is an open vessel for God to fill, undistracted by selfish desires, we are saying with our lives “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
According to John, as Dubay notes, we need to approach surrendering of our attachments with solid determination. He goes on to say, many desire that God does not cost them anything more than words in prayer. However, if they are not willing to search diligently for God, they will not find Him.
It is not a chore to eliminate any attachments to life. As Dubay writes, “Anyone who is deeply in love instinctively wants to give everything to the beloved, and anything that is an obstacle to union with the loved one is gladly surrendered.”
“For me to live is Jesus, for me to die is gain” sings in the background.
It is okay not to have time for anything that does not draw one closer to God or has God at the center. According to Dubay, St. Francis of Assisi wrote that a man who is truly seeking God with a pure heart does not have time for things of the world. We are to let go of everything that does not lead to God. Whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, all we do is to be for the glory of God.
“Prepare me for your love” sings in the background. Dubay writes that one becomes ablaze with burning love for God when no hindrance comes from the outside -"the soul remains alone with God and is thoroughly prepared to become enkindled."
“Draw me closer in every way” sings. We can have a tender love for others, yet resolve not to waste time in idle talk or gossip with them. Contemplation and self-indulgence do not mix. We cannot both seek the pleasures of the world and also seek God fully. Contemplation requires fasting, discipline and silence as St. Teresa notes.
So how do I know if I have attachments? According to St. Teresa of Avila, “One who seeks delight in God alone finds peace and joy no matter what happens.” Whenever I am feeling discontented, it is due to some sort of worldly attachment.
Lord, “You have ravished my heart completely.” As this sings in the background, I so long to be totally yours and detached from the world completely. I long to have a deeper and more meaningful prayer life. Please have mercy on me and draw me deeper into a contemplative prayer life. Show me where I need to detach from the world. Please empower me with your Spirit to follow you. I long to be totally yours!
“My heart does cry for the warmth of your embrace, to see the smile on your face… The deepest longings of my heart are filled in You.”
[1] Dubay, Thomas, S.M., Fire Within, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA 1989
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