The challenge of detachment

An interesting question came up recently in discussion during a formation session.  We were looking at Book I, Chapter 3 of The Ascent of Carmel by St John of the Cross.  The question was about detachment.  Is there a risk that detachment from the things of this earth may lead us to become dull and limp people and even negative, unable to enjoy activities generally considered interesting or exciting?  I suppose that this could theoretically be the case but I myself see this detachment as refocussing me and my life away from things and activities and the quest for adrenalin towards people and love.  If I think of travelling for example, I see it as going to see people – and if those people want us to do sightseeing etc, then well and good.  But I don’t have a bucket list of places to go and see before I die, because I see my calling as an older Carmelite as a calling to use my days to prepare to meet the living God. My task now is not to grip onto this life and its beauties but to unglue myself from it. Does this turn me into a dull person? Maybe it could do - for people unsympathetic to the spiritual quest - but there are plenty of other people out there looking to go further in the great spiritual adventure.  This is the real adventure of life - not the pursuit of excitement or adrenalin experiences which may easily become addictive, a drug we cannot do without. That indeed is the opposite of detachment.

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Marie, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Sue B, Theresa K, Fr Jon

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS - housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – seriously ill

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)