Variable: Moh (attachment)

Attachment amplifier: increases effective blockers via craving/aversion loops

Working definition

Moh in SAE-1.4 is an attachment amplifier: it increases effective blockers via craving/aversion loops. Attachment (moh) is not "love"—it's craving/aversion patterns that increase reactivity and contraction.

Moh feeds fear/craving loops: attachment (craving) → aversion (fear of loss) → reactivity (contraction). This increases effective blockers, reducing awareness bandwidth.

The Gītā frames attachment as a root cause of reactivity: dwelling on sense-objects → attachment → desire → reactivity. [BG 2.62] We translate this into modern blockers.

Engineering Translation

VariableMoh ∈ [0, 1] (attachment intensity)
Range[0, 1] where 0 = no attachment, 1 = maximum craving/aversion
EffectIncreases effective blockers (Bleff = Bl × (1 + Moh))
Sanatan mappingMoh (attachment/craving)

Measurement proxies

  • Craving patterns: Obsessive thoughts, compulsive behavior, "can't let go" patterns.
  • Aversion patterns: Fear of loss, avoidance, "can't handle rejection" patterns.
  • Reactivity loops: Craving → aversion → reactivity → contraction. Attachment amplifies reactivity.
  • Possessiveness: Clinging, hoarding, "this is mine" patterns.
  • Fear of loss: Anxiety about losing objects, people, status, identity.
  • Identity attachment: Clinging to "who I am" or "what I have" as fixed identity.

Failure modes / misreadings

  • "Attachment is love": No—attachment is craving/aversion. Love is connection without craving; attachment is connection with craving.
  • "Detachment means not caring": No—detachment means caring without craving. You can care deeply without attachment (without craving/aversion loops).
  • "All attachment is bad": No—attachment is a pattern that amplifies blockers. It's not "sinful"—it's observable reactivity.
  • "Detachment requires renunciation": No—detachment can happen gradually. It's not "give up everything"; it's "reduce craving/aversion loops."
  • "Moh must be eliminated": No—moh can be reduced gradually. The goal is reduction, not perfection.

So what can I do? (safe, non-prescriptive)

  • Notice craving/aversion patterns: Observe when craving (wanting) or aversion (fearing) appears. Recognition is the first lever.
  • Practice non-attachment gradually: Small experiments in letting go (non-possessiveness, non-clinging). No need for extreme renunciation.
  • Distinguish love from attachment: Love is connection without craving; attachment is connection with craving. Practice caring without craving.
  • Reduce identity attachment: Notice when "who I am" or "what I have" becomes fixed identity. Identity can change; it's not fixed.
  • Link to blockers: Reducing moh reduces effective blockers. See Blockers variable.
  • Seek support: If attachment patterns are severe (addiction, codependency), seek professional support. This is not a solo task.

Cross-links

Related chapters and variables:

References (primary sources)

  1. BG 2.62: Bhagavad Gītā 2.62
    Dwelling on sense-objects → attachment → desire
    Open source
  2. BG 2.63: Bhagavad Gītā 2.63
    Desire → anger → delusion → confusion → ruin
    Open source
  3. YS 2.3: Yoga Sūtra 2.3
    The five kleshas (root causes of suffering)
    Open source
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