Detachment

 The monk does not give up the things of the world as if they were evil in themselves.  The world is good, until we are imprisoned by inordinate attachments to the world.  What is that? It is the slavery to “more.”  Our freedom to love is eclipsed by this want for more.  There is never enough.  This slavery to more is what the monk gives up.  It is what the person in recovery gives up.  It is what one must give up in order to love.  We use or sacrifice created things in the interests of love.  Love is for growth in heart to heart relationship. “More” is about selfishness energized by fear.  It alienates us one from another.   So I have things, but I don’t “possess” things.  Love is a lot of emptying in order to become full.  The heart knows.