All sticking, clinging, holding on to anything in the field of Nature is called attachment because they are temporary and transient and subject to change. When they change, or there is a challenge to their being absolute truth, for example, with opinions and feelings for someone, then the human mind is perplexed and fears the change of established idea, viewpoint, opinion, feelings, etc. It tries various ways to safeguard and hold on to its past position, which was true in its own place and time but is no more so. That is why it is sometimes called as the relative truth. To be attached to its outer form is therefore bound to give pain. Of course, if we are connected with the deeper truth, the truth of the Divine within it, then the change will not affect us so much. We would keep progressing in thoughts and feelings, replacing a lesser and imperfect truth with a greater and more complete truth. Attachment binds us to the outer form and thereby prevents us from further progress, from exploring the deeper spirit within it. Over time, this turns into a narrow and rigid chain that we cannot easily cast away.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
