198-Habits and Attachments - Buddhism in daily life

Habits and Attachments

Somehow habits and attachments are connected, they also occur together.

Habits are very useful to us humans because the things we do out of habit are no longer a "burden" on the brain. Habits we have developed over years and decades, we have set up certain behavioral patterns, which we repeat in suitable moments, so we can direct our "thoughts" to other issues, keeping the capacity free for new issues that are important NOW (or we think they are important).

If we would think all the time about every step and every hand movement, then there would be no (or only little) capacity for current decisions, we could hardly devote ourselves to new things, not improve, not develop further.

On the other hand, habits are sometimes detrimental, as spontaneity and the love of life are often curbed. But there is a middle way, between routine and freedom of choice. Buddha urged to re-evaluate again and again, but precisely not to carve a judgment in rock, not to cultivate preconceived judgments (prejudices).

He who cannot maintain a healthy balance between his habits and his freedom of choice will forever chase after money, health, love, security, the everyday things of life.

But those who also bring peace and tranquility into their lives with sensible habits will be able to continue to develop.

The prerequisite, however, is to also think about the habits, to really deal with these habitual actions, to get to the bottom of them. Why do I do this (or that) so and so, why not differently? Are there other possibilities? Can I (perhaps) improve myself?

With attachments it is similar, once we attach to something (or someone), then this quickly becomes (also) a habit. For example, we live in partnerships, and although we know that a partnership has failed, we continue to live as if nothing had happened. We have developed a habit through the original love (attachment). No matter how much we want to escape from the partnership, a habit has been formed that we do not want to "miss", no matter how complicated the situation may be.

Attachments and habits are incredibly similar, the line between the two emotions is fluid, which is why Buddha would not leave habits without attention, he instructed his followers to look behind the scenes.

So: Why do we do this (or that) this way or that way, and not differently?

Think about it. The way is as always the goal!

If views have become a habit, they can become shackles.

- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before the year zero

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