MORRIE SCHWARZ’S THEORY OF DETACHMENT

attachments that threaten one” (McRae) Both concepts teach followers to psychologically “step back” from an emotion. By doing so, they become fully aware of the emotion they are feeling, in order to accept freedom from the emotion, and move on.

Morrie borrowed concepts from all religions, but he showed a fervent adoration for Buddhism and the Buddhist’s concept of detachment The Buddhist concept of detachment can be defined as a deep attachment to life as a result of a detachment to the outcome. Buddhism was “especially well known for its advocacy of detachment,” and although “the idea of such detachment/attachment can appear both impossible and very familiar the idea of resilience appears in many cultures designed to help mourners become reconciled to their losses”

(Wong) Throughout Morrie’s illness, he was never afraid of his inevitable and unavoidable death. He displayed strong resilience and detachment despite all that was happening to him. This is because, he claimed, “You know what the Buddhists say? Don’t cling to things because everything is impermanent” (quoted in Albom 103) He believed that life's cycle was merely reversing itself, allowing him to live like a baby before he passed. He was incapable of completing simple daily tasks on his own such as, bathing, eating, and using the lavatory. Oftentimes, he would ask Mitch to help him readjust in his seat or move from room to room. Without the theory of detachment, these encounters would have psychologically and emotionally strained Morrie This would have potentially caused him to spiral into a hole of self-pity and depression His theory of detachment, together with Buddhism, promotes detachment as something that “enhances proper love and compassion and is conceived of as a tool for virtuous emotional engagement” (McRae). Through emotional engagement with others, such as Mitch, Morrie witnessed his increasing dependency on others. However, using the theory of detachment, he saw this as a positive thing, rather than a nuisance. He appreciated the chance to live life as a baby once more, and endured every emotion in a calm manner His theory of detachment allowed him to view these stereotypical burdens on the bright side, causing a lack of emotional and psychological disturbance in his last months alive.

Morrie Schwarz’s theory of detachment connects to everlasting ideologies of classical philosophical Daoism, and the religions Stoicism and Buddhism

His theory, an analytical coping mechanism for emotion, allowed him to cherish every moment of life without worry. After being diagnosed with ALS, Morrie had difficulty managing his emotions at first. Gradually, he developed and incorporated his theory of detachment, making it easier to accept his disquieting and inevitable death, and every moment beforehand Despite facing ALS, he cherished every minute of his life that he had left with the help of his theory. Even the moments where he was forced to endure overwhelming misery in pain and agony. This theory allowed Morrie to refrain from dwelling in misery. He would simply step back, evaluate, fully immerse himself in his emotions, then detach from them Rather than holding onto grudges, or feeling sorry for himself, Morrie was able to get closure As a result, he appreciated all aspects of his life, even the moments he did not feel lively, and his viewpoint changed from burdened to grateful. For every breath he took in, he was able to indulge in his life. He displayed gratitude, and made it a point to see the bright side of everything that came his way.

Works Cited

Albom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie : An Old Man, A Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson Doubleday, 1997 article=1018&context=philfac fbclid=IwAR0xjA3kSc4DJdy0msKeuhOd9HvBxwKz0m7MolJKaSp2vD6gopFUq5c7g sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Becker, Lawrence "Stoic Emotion " Stoicism: Traditions and Transformations, 2004 https://digitalcommons hollins edu/cgi/viewcontent cgi?

Hansen, Chad. "Zhuangzi. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, edited by Edward N Zalta, Fall 2021 https://plato stanford edu/entries/zhuangzi/?

Liu, Xiaogan. Classifying the Zhuangzi Chapters. University of Michigan Press, 2020 https://library oapen org/viewer/web/viewer html?file=/ bitstream/handle/20 500 12657/41839/9780472901340 pdf?

McRae, Emily "Detachment in Buddhist and Stoic Ethics: Ataraxia and Apatheia and Equanimity " Ethics Without Self, Dharma Without Atman: 73 http://ndl ethernet edu et/bitstream/123456789/77166/ 1/224 pdf p df#page=87

Wong, David B "The Meaning of Detachment in Daoism, Buddhism, and Stoicism " Dao: A Journal of Comparative Philosophy, 5 2, 2006, pp 207219. www.researchgate.net/profile/David-Wong-35/ public ation/226392277 The meaning of detachment in Daoism Buddhism and Stoicism/links/00b49520e8ac63b0be000000/Themeaning-of-detachment-in-Daoism-Buddhism-and-Stoicism pdf