Buddhism Quote by Sharon Salzberg
““The secure attachment of Western psychology is actually akin to Buddhist non-attachment; avoid-ant attachment is the inverse of being mindful and present; and anxious attachment aligns with Buddhist notions of clinging and grasping.””
About This Quote
Source Talk: Buddhist Mindfulness Retreat, 2018
She draws parallels between Western attachment styles and Buddhist concepts, showing how secure, avoidant, and anxious attachments map onto mindfulness and clinging.
In simple terms: Attachment styles mirror Buddhist ideas of clinging and non‑attachment.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and balance attachment patterns.
Themes
psychology
Buddhism
mindfulness
attachment
mental health
Mood
calm
thoughtful
Type
educational
contemplative
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- meditation practice
- relationship counseling
- personal growth
Key Concepts
attachment theory
non‑attachment
present‑moment awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- In what ways can mindfulness reduce anxious attachment?
- How does secure attachment foster presence?
A Different Perspective
Western models may oversimplify complex Buddhist teachings.
![“We carry out our lives assuming ourselves to be something substantial and unchanging, and we become deeply attach[ed] to this assumed self (this attachment is known in Sanskrit as ātma-grāha ). But we attach to more than simply a notion of a self. We also reify the things that we see, hear, and…” quote by Tagawa Shun'ei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b9/tagawa-shun-ei-69333_attachment_we-carry-out-our-lives-assuming-ourselve_855070.jpg)
![“The extraction of discrete parts of Chöd teachings from their broader philosophical contexts is symptomatic of how Chöd has been incorporated into and transmitted through other Tibetan Buddhist lineages. For example [...] Chöd practices gradually merged with pre-existing models of deity yoga, such…” quote by Michelle Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b05/michelle-sorensen-60370_2013_the-extraction-of-discrete-parts-of-ch-d_4303.jpg)