Anandamayi Ma

What does detachment signify?

When every single object of the world kindles, as it were, the fire of renunciation, so as to make one recoil as from a shock, then there is inward and outward awakening.

This, however, does not mean that detachment implies aversion or contempt for anything of the world.

It simply is unacceptable.

The body refuses it.

Neither dislike nor anger will arise.

When detachment becomes a living inspiration, one begins to discriminate as to the true nature of the world.

Until finally, with the glowing certainty of direct perception,

the knowledge of its illusoriness arises.

Each and everything belonging to the world seems to burn.

One cannot touch it.

This also is a state that may ensue at a particular time.

At present, what you enjoy does not impress you as being short-lived

Rather does it appear to make you happy.

But to the extent that the spirit of detachment is roused, the relish of such pleasures will die down.

For are they not fleeting?

In other words, death will die.

Now that you are advancing towards that which is beyond time, the semblance of happiness brought about by mundane things is being consumed.

As a result, the question

what actually is this world, will arise.