The 8 worldly dharmas: the art of detachment and impermanence

The 8 worldly dharmas refer to those blockages, worries or attachments that cloud our conscience and ability to be happy. Thus, Buddhism, as well as psychology itself, remind us that living clinging to certain dimensions, such as pride, material goods or the desire for profit, pushes us to an existence of lack and suffering.

It is often said that Buddhism is a house full of beautiful treasures. However, from our markedly Western vision it is common that sometimes we do not know how to distinguish or appreciate the beauty of those riches that are brought together in said philosophical and spiritual framework.

The principles of Buddhism and the practice of the Dharma are not easy to carry out, and the reason for this is in our mentality, in the type of culture in which we operate daily and that, in some way, ends up molding us.

Hence, there are many experts in these currents who recommend a simple piece of advice. It doesn’t matter if we know nothing about the subject of chakras, about meditation or the supposed vital energy contained in kundalini yoga. Those practices that many handle almost without knowing have no relevance if the 8 worldly dharmas are not first known.

Because immersing ourselves, delimiting and working on this set of common concerns is undoubtedly the first step to our spiritual awakening. It is the threshold of Buddhism, it is being able to let go of our obsessive thoughts and social desires to leave behind our eternal fear of loss. Our fixation on profit, on meaningless attachment…

The 8 worldly dharmas

The 8 worldly dharmas tell us above all about two concepts: detachment and lack of permanence. Those ideas, those concepts, are without a doubt our true nemesis, that shadow that haunts us and that we never stop seeing or recognizing. Thus, within our mentality and behavior, many of us orient our existence in relation to certain dimensions, needs, people and materials that we consider essential to feel good.

We live attached to all these dimensions without understanding, without intuiting that nothing in this world can be retained forever. In our daily lives, certainties, attachments and expectations live because all of this gives us a feeling of control. And if there is something we like, it is having everything under control. However, there is nothing so volatile, capricious and immanent as life itself.

Hence any change destabilizes us. May every variation, failed expectation or unfulfilled goal lead us to suffering and stress. For the Dharma, As long as our mind remains contaminated by these eight worldly principles, we will never be free or noble.. Therefore, let’s see what dimensions this framework of Buddhism refers to.

First pair: attachment to material possessions/aversion to not receiving them or being separated from them

The 8 worldly dharmas are established in 4 pairs of attachment and aversion. Thus, the first of them refers to something that will be very familiar to us. We talk, of course, about our need to possess and the fear that comes from thinking about the distance or damage to what we understand as ours. A thousand examples illustrate this: our attachment to technology, to certain brands of clothing, shoes, our cars, etc.

It is clear that we consider many of these things essential for our daily lives: they help us to work and to give a certain image. Nevertheless, The problem is experiencing clear suffering when we do not have access to those objects.when we lack them and we perceive our absolute dependence on them. This is certainly a very relevant worldly dharma to work on.

Second pair: attachment to recognition, approval and fame/aversion to censorship or disapproval

We all, in some way, need to feel validated, recognized and approved by those around us. We are social beings and these bonds of security allow us to function more freely. Now, the problem, as always, comes when that need becomes a priority and constant. When we are unable to live without that external reinforcement, without that praise, without that permission, without that like in our photos, without that approval from our families, partners or co-workers.

Not knowing or not being able to live without these reinforcements or experiencing blocks or anxiety when we are censored or disapproved is another absolute source of suffering. Another of the pillars of the 8 worldly dharmas that we are obliged to identify and change.

Third pair: attachment to a good reputation / aversion to a bad image

What does it mean to live conditioned by having a good or bad reputation? It basically implies not being free, not being able to act, feel, live and develop according to our desires. Because those who are aware of what others think or what others may conclude regarding our appearance, actions or words, completely veto their own personal growth. It’s not appropriate.

Fourth pair: attachment to the pleasures of the five senses/aversion to unpleasant experiences

This pair of the 8 worldly dharmas may cause us some contradiction. What’s wrong if we orient our existence to those five senses with which we can savor life in all its forms, flavors and sensations? Even more… why not feel aversion to what is unpleasant or uncomfortable?

To understand it we must put ourselves in the context of Buddhism. In that vision where the frugal, the humble and the fair nourish each behavior, there is no room for excesses. In this philosophy, high passions, gluttony, desire, and need do not harmonize.… In balance there is moderation and well-being, and it is at that point of not needing anything, it is where consciousness is freed from the material, where wisdom, compassion and authentic spiritual progress appear.

In conclusion, It is very possible that these 8 worldly dharmas seem somewhat complicated to delimit and transform. This is because within our conception it is very difficult for us to renounce the fantasy of permanence, to embrace the idea that we do not have absolute control of everything that happens.

Nevertheless, Let us stay with the essence of these approaches, let them inspire us to shape a more autonomous life, free of selfishness and empty pride.empty needs and thoughts that do not allow us to grow as people.

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