All things Quote by Thomas Merton
“Detachment from things does not mean setting up a contradiction between 'things' and 'God' as if God were another thing and as if creatures were His rivals. We do not detach ourselves from things in order to attach ourselves to God, but rather we become detached from ourselves in order to see and use all things in and for God.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Spirituality and Detachment, 1975
True detachment means letting go of self‑interest to serve all things as expressions of the divine.
In simple terms: Let go of self to serve everything.
Key Takeaway
Practice self‑less service.
Themes
spirituality
detachment
service
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- volunteering
- environmental work
- teaching
- meditation
Key Concepts
theology
philosophy
self‑transcendence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you serve without losing self?
- What does “detached from self” feel like?
A Different Perspective
Self‑neglect can become harmful.
