Practise Detached Attachment

This afternoon, I listened to a few talks by Professor B. Mahadevan from IIM Bangalore about Indian Vedanta Philosophy and its wisdom that we can apply in our day-to-day lives. In one of the talks, Prof. Mahadevan quotes this lovely verse from Bhagavad Gita.

Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana,  

Ma Karmaphalaheturbhuh ma Te Sangostvakarmani

The literal meaning of this verse is,

You have the right to work only but never to its fruits.

Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.

Have a high level of attachment with respect to the work you do. Be engaged physically, mentally, intellectually. Give your best and put all your efforts towards the goals you have. Be very attached to the work you have to do.

In contrast, you should also have the wisdom and the maturity to detach yourself when it comes to the results you seek. If possible, find a way to step back after all the work you have put in and be satisfied with whatever comes out. Be sure to put in your 100% but be comfortable with not getting the result you seek.

This is the idea of detached attachment. 

Be attached to everything in your locus of control and be detached to everything in the locus of outcomes. You experience peace and joy when you approach any work with detached attachment.