Meaning: The quote "Obedience is detachment from the self. This is the most radical detachment of all. But what is the self? The self is the principle of reason and responsibility in us. It is the root of freedom, it is what makes us men." by Bede Griffiths, a clergyman, encapsulates a profound insight into the nature of obedience and its relationship to the self.

Bede Griffiths was a Benedictine monk who spent much of his life in India, where he engaged deeply with the spiritual traditions of the East, particularly Hinduism. His exploration of the intersection between Christian mysticism and Eastern spirituality led him to develop a unique perspective on the nature of the self and the role of obedience in spiritual life.

When Griffiths speaks of obedience as detachment from the self, he is delving into the essence of what it means to surrender one's will to a higher authority or principle. In many spiritual traditions, obedience is seen as a fundamental virtue, a way of relinquishing the ego's desires and submitting to a greater wisdom or divine will. By detaching from the self, one opens oneself to a deeper, more expansive experience of reality, unencumbered by the narrow constraints of personal ambition and desire.

But Griffiths also raises the question: What is the self? He characterizes the self as the principle of reason and responsibility within us, the source of our freedom and the defining attribute of our humanity. In this sense, the self represents our individuality, our capacity for rational thought, and our moral agency. It is the seat of our autonomy and identity, the locus of our conscious choices and actions.

So, when Griffiths advocates for detachment from the self through obedience, he is not advocating for a total annihilation of the self, but rather a transcendence of its limitations. By surrendering the self to a higher principle, whether it be God, moral law, or spiritual truth, one can tap into a deeper wellspring of freedom and authenticity. This notion echoes the teachings of many spiritual traditions, which emphasize the importance of self-transcendence in the pursuit of enlightenment or union with the divine.

Griffiths' insight into obedience and the self also touches on the paradoxical nature of spiritual surrender. On one hand, obedience may seem to entail a loss of autonomy and individual agency, a subjugation of the self to external authority. However, Griffiths suggests that true obedience leads to a more profound realization of the self's potential, freeing it from the narrow confines of egocentric desires and unlocking a higher, more expansive mode of being.

In conclusion, Bede Griffiths' quote on obedience and detachment from the self offers a thought-provoking perspective on the nature of spiritual surrender and the relationship between the self and higher principles. It invites us to contemplate the nature of obedience, the essence of the self, and the transformative power of relinquishing our personal will in service of a greater truth. Griffiths' unique synthesis of Christian and Eastern mystical insights continues to inspire seekers of spiritual wisdom to explore the profound depths of obedience, self-transcendence, and the path to liberation.