Attachment to outcome is perhaps the greatest obstacle on the parenting path, and the one that teaches us the most about the importance of practicing non-attachment. We commonly perceive our children to be extensions of ourselves, imagining that we know what’s best for them, but our children are people in their own right with their own paths to follow in this world. They may be called to move in directions we fear, don’t respect, or don’t understand, yet we must let them go. This letting go happens gradually throughout our lives with our children until we finally honor them as fully grown adults who no longer require our guidance. At this point, it is important that we treat them as peers who may or may not seek our input into their lives. This allows them, and us, to fully realize the greatest gift parents can offer their offspring —independence.
Letting go in any area of life requires a deep trust in the universe,
in the overall meaning and purpose of existence. Remembering that there
is more to us and our children than meets the eye can help us practice
non-attachment, even when we feel overwhelmed by concern and the desire
to interfere. We are all souls making our way in the world and making
our way, ultimately, back to the same source. This can be our mantra as
we let our children go in peace and confidence.....<<<Read More>>>...
