Detachment

It has been very important for my spiritual growth and freedom to continually detach from my own attitudes and ideas.  Similarly the Christian mystics make much of the importance of detachment, and Buddhists frequently speak of the necessity of giving up our tendency to grasp on to things.  It has been relatively easy for me to detach from material things, but my attitudes and ideas require continued inspection and release.  Part of me would like to attempt to force reality to fit with my ideas and beliefs, rather than the other way around.  A good indication that this sort of thing is happening is a feeling of increased pain, confusion or stress.  Meditation and being willing to let things go help to sort out the problem.