Attachment

Q137: Swami, how is it possible not to be attached to the family and to rise above the feeling of "mine" and "thine"?

Bhagawan: A small example here.  A rich man who resides in a big bungalow has an Alsatian dog.  This dog is always vigilant and will not permit anyone to enter the house.  Now to get into that house, what is to be done?  You are left with two ways.  Either you should tame the dog and get in or call for the rich man to escort you.  Otherwise, the dog will not permit you to move forward even an inch.

Similarly, to pass through the main gate of attachment, you have to tame possessiveness, like a dog.  This is karmamarga, the path of action.  Alternatively, you can call for the help of God and get in.  This is bhaktimarga, the path of devotion.  Hence, karma, selfless action and bhakti, devotion, are the two alternatives, for developing detachment and giving up possessive instincts.

(From "Satyopanisad" Vol. l by Prof. K. Anil Kumar)