Lucian Eyers © 2008
I was waiting for a tube train at Knightsbridge station this week, when five youths decided to sit on the edge of the platform with their legs dangling over the rails. At first I waited to see if someone would approach, but there was no platform attendant. It was also very crowded so it was likely the CCTV camera could not see them.
I then asked the angels to give protection to these silly boys and was surprised by the answer the angels gave me. They said, “You do something.”
As I approached the youths, I discovered they were foreign and asked them if they spoke English. One boy nodded. I said, “The train will enter the platform very quickly and you may not have time to remove your legs.” He then replied, “The train is not coming for another seven minutes.” My response was, “What you are doing is extremely dangerous, I am not an official, but if they catch you, then you may get into serious trouble.” The boys then stood up.
Although there were many people present, no one intervened. Some may say the numerous onlookers were practising detachment, but this is not the case.
The boys were clearly in danger. They were sitting close to where the train enters and a scramble at the last minute to remove their legs could have been fatal. I have been travelling on the tube for many years and seven minutes can pass very quickly.
There were several reasons why no one acted and these were based on indifference, fear and ego – none relate to detachment.
Detachment is acting for the higher good of all. It is understanding we are all 'One' and when we need to, we get involved, but in a detached way. Being detached is not a state of indifference.
When we practice perfect detachment we master our emotions. We do not concern ourselves with what others may think of us. Nor do we engage in fear, believing we will receive a violent reaction – we remain calm and independent of the situation.
I was telling a friend this story and he began to create a new scenario of someone being stabbed, he said, “Would you then go after the attacker?”
I said, “Of course not – I would tend to the injured person and then get an ambulance.”
I then asked the angels to give protection to these silly boys and was surprised by the answer the angels gave me. They said, “You do something.”
As I approached the youths, I discovered they were foreign and asked them if they spoke English. One boy nodded. I said, “The train will enter the platform very quickly and you may not have time to remove your legs.” He then replied, “The train is not coming for another seven minutes.” My response was, “What you are doing is extremely dangerous, I am not an official, but if they catch you, then you may get into serious trouble.” The boys then stood up.
Although there were many people present, no one intervened. Some may say the numerous onlookers were practising detachment, but this is not the case.
The boys were clearly in danger. They were sitting close to where the train enters and a scramble at the last minute to remove their legs could have been fatal. I have been travelling on the tube for many years and seven minutes can pass very quickly.
There were several reasons why no one acted and these were based on indifference, fear and ego – none relate to detachment.
Detachment is acting for the higher good of all. It is understanding we are all 'One' and when we need to, we get involved, but in a detached way. Being detached is not a state of indifference.
When we practice perfect detachment we master our emotions. We do not concern ourselves with what others may think of us. Nor do we engage in fear, believing we will receive a violent reaction – we remain calm and independent of the situation.
I was telling a friend this story and he began to create a new scenario of someone being stabbed, he said, “Would you then go after the attacker?”
I said, “Of course not – I would tend to the injured person and then get an ambulance.”
When we are truly detached, we can then make the right decision. It is of course more difficult to do this with those who are close to us. However, if we wish to spiritually advance, detachment is a lesson we all must learn.
The picture above and below is from a poem I wrote about a scarecrow who is not valued, but does little to defend himself. He relies on trust and higher forces to improve his fate. He also resists the temptation to judge – which is the key to detachment and brings contentmenIf youwould like to purchase this poem and others from 'The Second Sparky Book of Hours,' you can as an eBook and hardback via our website at:
'The Scarecrow,' taken from the 'The Second Sparky Book of Hours' by Lucian Eyers © 2008
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