Question

How can I help lessen my attachment to obscurity?

Answer

We need to have a middle way here, because liking to be alone is not such a bad thing. Not needing so much attention is not such a bad thing. The craving for fame can be more dangerous than the craving for obscurity. Some people who crave fame can go to great lengths to get that, so the craving for obscurity is not that bad in itself. It's just a matter of learning the middle way so that one is not seeking obscurity through a sense of under-confidence or just because we are attached to the calm of it and afraid of the blame of fame.

One of the things that I used to use when my attachment to obscurity made me want to stop teaching, was to reflect on what would have happened to me if my teachers hadn't let go of the attachment to obscurity and taught me. Remembering what I used to be like before I met the Dhamma and my life now, I'm very grateful that my teachers had enough compassion to teach me. Building the power of compassion can help us to open to the uncomfortable glare of people knowing us. Reflecting on the eight worldly dhammas can be quite helpful because oftentimes by craving for obscurity we don't allow ourselves to do a lot of good Kamma. It may be very peaceful and secure, but it may prevent us from fulfilling our greater potential.

Our apologies if there are any errors in the above text. If anything seems to be wrong or confusing in any way, please feel free to contact the teachers for further clarification.