Non-attachment (Buddhism, Yoga)

As opposed to mortification, which implies the deliberate avoidance of sensual pleasure, detachment is a freedom from longing, a non-involvement with the objects of the senses, leading to clarity, efficient and effective action, calm and joy. It has been described as "thirstlessness" – vitrisna – implying release from the duality implied in the element water.

Together with non-hatred and non-ignorance, non-attachment acts as an antidote to the three causes of misconduct - desire, hatred and ignorance. These three are related in both Tibetan and Hinayana Buddhism. It is related to all paths since, depending on the being's small, medium or great capacity, it leads: to seeking one's own welfare in future lives as opposed to the present life; to seeking release from all cyclic existence; or to seeking the non-abiding nirvana where, while remaining meditating on emptiness, one manifests to help others migrate from the cycle of birth and rebirth. In Hinayana Buddhism, absence of greed is the means for not being greedy, not being greedy in itself and merely not being greedy. Its characteristic is lack of desire, the mind is free from cupidity for an object of thought, it does not adhere. Its function is not laying hold of or appropriating.

According to Patanjali, non-attachment to aspiration after illumination and isolated unity brings awareness of spiritual knowledge; it appears as an overhanging cloud to be reached, used and penetrated.

One of the eleven virtuous mental factors referred to in Tibetan Buddhism. One of the formations aggregate (mental coefficients) of Hinayana Buddhism, being listed among the constant states which appear in their true nature, and as profitable primary (always present in any profitable or profitable-resultant consciousness).