A mother is full of affection for her child. When the child does something on his own, if the mother uses her affection, then the mother will be very, very happy. But if the mother uses her attachment, the mother will say, “Why did you not involve me? Why did you not tell me? How could you do it without my knowledge?” Inside attachment there is expectation and demand, whereas affection will only say, “My child has done this? I am so happy, so happy!”
We have to keep affection and attachment separate. Affection is absolutely necessary — it is sweet, sweeter, sweetest. But if attachment comes, then we only create problems for ourselves. I am so fond of my dog. When I have to go to the United Nations or somewhere else, if I am attached to my dog, then I will try to take him with me. Then the dog will create problems. Exactly the same way, when I am attached to someone, I will try by force to keep that person with me. But affection will say, “Now I am needed somewhere. Please remain here.” Affection has wisdom in it, but attachment does not. So affection is very, very good, but you have to keep attachment out of it.From:Sri Chinmoy,Sri Chinmoy answers, part 30, Agni Press, 2001
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