--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To enjoy anything, we cannot be attached…" description: "\"To enjoy anything, we cannot be attached to it. What we usually try to do is capture any joy that comes our way before it can escape. We try to cling t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/eknath-easwaran-7274_acceptance_to-enjoy-anything-we-cannot-be-attached_2593404.jpg" --- # To enjoy anything, we cannot be attached to it. What we… ![“To enjoy anything, we cannot be attached to it. What we usually try to do is capture any joy that comes our way before it can escape. We try to cling to pleasure, but all we succeed in doing is making ourselves frustrated because, whatever it promises, pleasure simply cannot last. But if I am…” quote by Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/eknath-easwaran-7274_acceptance_to-enjoy-anything-we-cannot-be-attached_2593404.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/eknath-easwaran-7274_acceptance_to-enjoy-anything-we-cannot-be-attached_2593404.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/eknath-easwaran-7274_acceptance_to-enjoy-anything-we-cannot-be-attached_2593404.jpg) > “To enjoy anything, we cannot be attached to it. What we usually try to do is capture any joy that comes our way before it can escape. We try to cling to pleasure, but all we succeed in doing is making ourselves frustrated because, whatever it promises, pleasure simply cannot last. But if I am willing to kiss the joy as it flies, I say, Yes, this moment is beautiful. I won't grab it. I'll let it go.” [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage teaches that clinging to pleasure creates frustration; instead, one should appreciate moments without attachment, allowing joy to flow. **In simple terms:** Release attachment to pleasure. Key Takeaway Enjoy moments without grasping. Themes mindfulness attachment joy Mood calm reflective Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - daily meditation - stress relief - creative work Key Concepts Buddhist philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you practice non‑attachment? - What moments can you let go of? A Different Perspective Attachment can cause suffering. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acceptance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acceptance/) [Beautiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beautiful/) [Capture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capture/) [Capture Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capture-joy-1292657/) [Cling Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cling-pleasure-810342/) [Enjoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoy/) [Enjoy Attached](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoy-attached-1879890/) [Frustrated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frustrated/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Kissing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kissing/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [Let it go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/let-it-go/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Pleasure Succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure-succeed-1879889/) [Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) [Succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succeed/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Willing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willing/) ## Related quotes > [This is the tendency of all living things: to avoid pain and to cling to pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/this-is-the-tendency-of-all-living-things-to-avoid-pain-and-to-cling/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [I still haven't been able to capture the joy of what it's like when I sing - you know, when I'm by myself, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-power/i-still-haven-t-been-able-to-capture-the-joy-of-what-it-s-like-when-i/) [Cat Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-power/) > [Whether I'm writing scripts or prose, the goal is identical. To give pleasure. Now whether I succeed or not is up for debate, and,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-ames/whether-i-m-writing-scripts-or-prose-the-goal-is-identical-to-give/) [Jonathan Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-ames/) > [Pleasure must succeed to pleasure, else past pleasure turns to pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/pleasure-must-succeed-to-pleasure-else-past-pleasure-turns-to-pain/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [I do remember at my very first opening in 1979 another artist coming up to me, and he was haranguing me, saying, "Did you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-simmons/i-do-remember-at-my-very-first-opening-in-1979-another-artist-coming/) [Laurie Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-simmons/) > [A lot of overdubs from the last couple of records had to do with me being insecure about the way my voice sounds or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-martsch/a-lot-of-overdubs-from-the-last-couple-of-records-had-to-do-with-me/) [Doug Martsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-martsch/) > [I let it go. It's like swimming against the current. It exhausts you. After a while, whoever you are, you just have to let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-harris/i-let-it-go-it-s-like-swimming-against-the-current-it-exhausts-you/) [Joanne Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanne-harris/) > [“don't let the in don't let them see be the good girl you always have to be. Conseal, don't feel don't let them know”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-buck-and-jennifer-lee/don-t-let-the-in-don-t-let-them-see-be-the-good-girl-you-always-have/) [chris buck and jennifer lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-buck-and-jennifer-lee/) > [When ice appears out of doors, and boys seize it up while it is solid, at first they experience new pleasures. But in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/when-ice-appears-out-of-doors-and-boys-seize-it-up-while-it-is-solid/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [When I got married in my twenties, I had a happy marriage and happy kids but at some point in time I let it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-rose/when-i-got-married-in-my-twenties-i-had-a-happy-marriage-and-happy/) [Stuart Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-rose/) > [I feel domesticity just slipping off me. It is a choice. Either one can let it go or one can intensify it. The people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-townsend-warner/i-feel-domesticity-just-slipping-off-me-it-is-a-choice-either-one-can/) [Sylvia Townsend Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-townsend-warner/) > [“Let go of those thoughts that do not serve you anymore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/let-go-of-those-thoughts-that-do-not-serve-you-anymore/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [If you'd done a good job you'd just step back and let all these different chemistries interact and let it go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-kooper/if-you-d-done-a-good-job-you-d-just-step-back-and-let-all-these/) [Al Kooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-kooper/) > [Like every audition I go on, I do my best, but after that, I let it go because, you know, the rejection rate is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-ziering/like-every-audition-i-go-on-i-do-my-best-but-after-that-i-let-it-go/) [Ian Ziering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-ziering/) > [I'm a good man with a good heart had a tough time, got a rough start But I finally learned to let it go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mayer/i-m-a-good-man-with-a-good-heart-had-a-tough-time-got-a-rough-start/) [John Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mayer/) ## More by Eknath Easwaran > [When we truly are putting others first, we cannot but feel at peace with ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/when-we-truly-are-putting-others-first-we-cannot-but-feel-at-peace/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [The real essentials of life - compassion, kindness, good will, forgiveness - are what is fundamental to living as a true human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/the-real-essentials-of-life-compassion-kindness-good-will-forgiveness/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [At the beginning of every winter people are careful to install storm windows. These extra panes of glass protect their houses against the bitter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/at-the-beginning-of-every-winter-people-are-careful-to-install-storm/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [A calm mind releases the most precious capacity a human being can have: the capacity to turn anger into compassion, fear into fearlessness, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/a-calm-mind-releases-the-most-precious-capacity-a-human-being-can/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [Don't think the purpose of meditation is to go deep into consciousness, wrap a blanket around yourself, and say, 'How cozy! I'm going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/don-t-think-the-purpose-of-meditation-is-to-go-deep-into/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [Meditation may require a lifetime to master, but it will have been a lifetime well spent. ... If you want to judge your progress,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/meditation-may-require-a-lifetime-to-master-but-it-will-have-been-a/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [“Meditation is the basis of a life of splendid health, untiring energy, unfailing love, and abiding wisdom. It is the very foundation of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/meditation-is-the-basis-of-a-life-of-splendid-health-untiring-energy/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [Love is so exquisitely elusive. It cannot be bought, cannot be badgered, cannot be hijacked. It is available only in one rare form: as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/love-is-so-exquisitely-elusive-it-cannot-be-bought-cannot-be-badgered/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [Meditation is warm-up exercise for the mind, so that you can jog through the rest of the day without getting agitated or spraining your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/meditation-is-warm-up-exercise-for-the-mind-so-that-you-can-jog/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [By removing that which is petty and self-seeking, we bring forth all that is glorious and mindful of the whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/by-removing-that-which-is-petty-and-self-seeking-we-bring-forth-all/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [As we get deeper, we move closer and closer to other people; we feel closer to life as a whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/as-we-get-deeper-we-move-closer-and-closer-to-other-people-we-feel/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [To be secure everywhere is the mark of sophistication, to be unshakable is the mark of courage, to be permanently in love with every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/to-be-secure-everywhere-is-the-mark-of-sophistication-to-be/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [When the mind is still, we can become an instrument of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/when-the-mind-is-still-we-can-become-an-instrument-of-peace/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [It is not action or effort that we must surrender; it is self-will, and this is terribly difficult. You must do your best constantly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/it-is-not-action-or-effort-that-we-must-surrender-it-is-self-will-and/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [“We expect professional and financial success to require time and effort. Why do we take success in our relationships for granted? Why should we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/we-expect-professional-and-financial-success-to-require-time-and/) [eknath easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) [Explore all 93 Eknath Easwaran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) ## More Acceptance quotes > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [You dont choose your life; it chooses you. Theres no point asking why life has reserved certain joys or griefs, you just accept them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/you-dont-choose-your-life-it-chooses-you-theres-no-point-asking-why/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When one fib becomes due as it were, you must forge another to take up the old acceptance; and so the stock of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/when-one-fib-becomes-due-as-it-were-you-must-forge-another-to-take-up/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) > [Acceptance of death when it arrives is one thing, but to allow it to upstage the joys of living is ingratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-blythe/acceptance-of-death-when-it-arrives-is-one-thing-but-to-allow-it-to/) [Ronald Blythe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-blythe/) > [“Loving someone who does not love you back hurts, alot, i know. It is liking seeing these pair of shoes at the retail store…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nomthandazo-tsembeni/loving-someone-who-does-not-love-you-back-hurts-alot-i-know-it-is/) [Nomthandazo Tsembeni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nomthandazo-tsembeni/) > [Take responsibily for your past, the bad memories of poor decisions you took were your choices once, and you liked them for the moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aruho-marvin/take-responsibily-for-your-past-the-bad-memories-of-poor-decisions/) [Aruho Marvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aruho-marvin/) > [Let us learn to accept and appreciate things now, and we'll find more happiness in every moment we live. Happiness comes when we stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/let-us-learn-to-accept-and-appreciate-things-now-and-we-ll-find-more/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [“Love first; ask questions later.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-courtney/love-first-ask-questions-later/) [Jeremy Courtney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-courtney/) > [“There was beauty in chaos, she'd just never known it before.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-linsmeier/there-was-beauty-in-chaos-she-d-just-never-known-it-before/) [Amanda Linsmeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-linsmeier/) > [Accepting the challenges in life makes it interesting and overcoming them makes it eloquent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/accepting-the-challenges-in-life-makes-it-interesting-and-overcoming/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Acceptance is the only thing you should teach. Be it Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Dalit, you must inculcate acceptance, not tolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamal-haasan/acceptance-is-the-only-thing-you-should-teach-be-it-christian-muslim/) [Kamal Haasan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamal-haasan/) > [There just seems to be more acceptance now of other kinds of British films, than the picture-postcard ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-roth/there-just-seems-to-be-more-acceptance-now-of-other-kinds-of-british/) [Tim Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-roth/) > [You should never hate anyone, even your worst enemies. Everyone has something good about them. You have to find the redeeming quality and love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/you-should-never-hate-anyone-even-your-worst-enemies-everyone-has/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [The sense that in this universe we are treated as strangers, the longing to be acknowledged, to meet with some response, to bridge some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-sense-that-in-this-universe-we-are-treated-as-strangers-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 3,960 Acceptance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acceptance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To enjoy anything, we cannot be attached to it. What we usually try to do is capture any joy that comes our way before it can escape. We try to cling to pleasure, but all we succeed in doing is making ourselves frustrated because, whatever it promises, pleasure simply cannot last. 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