and another thing...

...that came up in conversation was the question of setting ideals for oneself. the question was - what is the point of setting ideals if a year later you are likely to change them? well, the goal of detachment, or rather - non-attachment, comes with an essential corollary - one must not be attached to thoughts or views either. no matter how wise we may be at present, we will never be infinitely so. and no matter how much we know, if we keep our minds open, we will find that there is more to know every passing second. indeed, this is true - because we have lived one second longer and experienced something that we now know we have experienced. the more we experience that single second, i.e. by really immersing ourselves in it, the more we know; the more we grow. the more we grow, the more we evolve, and the more we change....

so yes, we must constantly make an effort to expand our knowledge of ourselves, others, and the world. we must incessantly aim for greater wisdom. and with that knowledge and wisdom, if we introspect deeply enough, we will find our views evolving, perhaps even changing polarities, some of the time, if not all of the time. the ideal of detachment certainly includes this very essential aspect.

one of thich nhat hanh's 14 precepts:

Do not think that the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice non-attachment from views in order to be open to receive others' viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout our entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.

the other 13 are here.