Quotes About Detachment

Consciousness of self— the general realization that I exist independently of the circumstances of the moment—marks man's first great effort of abstraction; the detachment of the various spiritual activities from their function in the totality of his life and the unity of his world view is a second abstraction.

But you must be prepared to walk away from these achievements and rewards before you feel ready.

I do not like the human race. I don't like their heads, I don't like their faces, I don't like their feet, I don't like their conversations, I don't like their hairdos, I don't like their automobiles.

We can't have cellphones, TV, radio or the Internet. If the president died, we'd have no idea. There's no normalcy. It's just like prison, with cameras.

I don't read the papers; I don't listen to radio.

When I vacate this sack of old bones I won't care what you do with it. Bury or burn it but don't make much fuss.

If I get a gig or I don't get a gig, I really have never, ever, ever cared.

I don't miss playing for the national side, I am glad to be out of it.

I was just moving around the globe, learning classical music and generally doing nothing. I was completely away from glitz and glamour and did not miss it at all.

I don't follow golf! I don't keep up with golf or know who is coming or going. I am just here to play the game and be done with it.

I think I'm really good at forgetting about golf when I'm off the golf course.

Just getting away from the game, getting away from basketball was a good thing for me.

There is a feeling of disbelief that comes over you, that takes over, and you kind of go through the motions. You do what you're supposed to do, but in fact you're not there at all.

Happiness: being able to forget or, to express in a more learned fashion.

To 'want' something, to 'strive' after something to have an 'aim' or a 'wish' in my mind — I know none of this from experience. Even at this moment I look out upon my future — a distant future! as upon a calm sea: no sigh of longing makes a ripple on its surface. I have not the slightest wish that anything should be otherwise than it is: I do not want myself different than I am. But in this matter I have always been the same. I have never had a desire.

Live in concealment in order that you may live to yourself. Live ignorant of that which seems to your age to be most important!

If I must have pity, then I do not want to be called such; and if I do have pity, then rather from a distance.

relinquish the desire for children and wealth and live the life of 'Vanaprastha,' that is, one retired from the household cares.

The detachment of the saint springs, as one might say, from the very core of reality; it completely excludes curiosity about the universe. This detachment is the highest form of participation. The detachment of the spectator is just the opposite, it is desertion, not only in thought but in act.

My yoga teacher says to think of your thoughts like skateboarders passing through our line of vision; just watch them go by, don't try to follow them down the street.

During a negotiation, it would be wise not to take anything personally. If you leave personalities out of it, you will be able to see opportunities more objectively.

The monsters of our childhood do not fade away, neither are they ever wholly monstrous. But neither, in my experience, do we ever reach a plane of detachment regarding our parents, however wise and old we may become. To pretend otherwise is to cheat.

I myself think that the wise man meddles little or not at all in affairs and does his own things.

To kind of go through life not caring is a spectacular attribute. It's one I wish I had.