Embracing Non-Attachment: Why Taking Action and Making Plans Matter
While some may believe that Buddhism is devoid of planning, it is a path toward a specific goal: the end of suffering. The Buddha actively decided to teach the cessation of suffering and shared a whole system of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. However, he was not attached to the outcome of his teachings. He taught because some would understand and not convert a certain number of people.
As practitioners, we also follow a path and seek to become free from suffering. We may plan for our spiritual growth through studying and meditating, but we must also be mindful of our attachment to expectations and outcomes. Non-attachment does not mean apathy but rather accepting the present moment without holding onto expectations of what should happen during meditation or in life.
We can use the concept of clinging strategically, changing our diet of thoughts and developing inner qualities to make us stronger to face life's challenges. We should strive to follow the path intentionally, with the intention behind our plans being skillful and pure. Ultimately, it comes down to what should be done today, planting seeds without expectations but still taking action toward our goals.