One Step Onward

Detachment does not mean that you own nothing, it means that nothing owns you (Mitchell). To understand detachment it is imperative to understand the meaning of attachment and the invisible ties that come with. 

As humans, to need and to be needed is innate to who we are. The most authentic notion of this is the relationship between a child and their mother. Mothers who are childbearing serve as personalized incubators to their fetus for 9 months. During these 9 months, the mother provides nutrients needed for the fetus to survive and develop. When the fetus is born it is the mother’s responsibility to care for her child, until the child reaches the appropriate age to care for themselves. During this time, the child becomes dependent on the mother for basic needs including food and shelter. As the child grows through the phases of childhood into early adulthood, their level of independence increases. During the teenage years of childhood, children become more independent and curious to interests outside of those at home. When teenagers have a strong and healthy relationship with their caregiver(s), this acts as a safety net and eases them towards their independence. If a child has an unstable caregiver(s), this may mirror onto the child’s transition into early adulthood. 

Just like a mother and her child, the relationship between a colonists and their colonies is no exception.  According to the attachment theory, “primary caregivers who are available and responsive to an infant’s needs allow the child to develop a sense of security. The infant learns that the caregiver is dependable, which creates a secure base for the child to then explore the world (MSEd)”. When the colonists have the best interests of its colonies, the inhabitants are able to thrive while simultaneously benefiting its rulers. In a case where there is mistreatment of power, the colonies and its inhabitants are negatively impacted. In history mistreatment of the colonies has resulted in illiteracy, national financial instability, poor health care, systematic racism, violence, generational poverty, as well as loss of language and culture. When nations under a negatively dominating colonist are liberated, they are often inadequately prepared to rule themselves resulting in the modern definition of a third world country.  

It is my belief that in this new age where history and technology is so readily accessible to those in power, it is their responsibility to ensure a positive quality of life to all socioeconomic classes as well as a fair transition to liberation to nations under their rule. Like the mother-child relationship, a nurtured nation who is able to successfully flourish has the ability to initiate major world impact. In times where many nations around the world are calling to be liberated, it is only fair that they do so with the ability to take a step forward.

Mitchell, Stephen. The Bhagavad Gita. Crown Publications, 2002.

MSEd, Kendra Cherry. “Attachment Theory: Bowlby and Ainsworth’s Theory Explained.” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind, 11 Aug. 2006, https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-attachment-theory-2795337#:~:text=The%20central%20theme%20of%20attachment,to%20then%20explore%20the%20world.