A while ago I noticed that dispassion (viraga) toward arising thoughts can give great peace. It wasn't really a artificial dispassion, rather, it came naturally after contemplation. Now I'm wondering if it makes sense to actively nurture such dispassion toward not just thoughts but also emotions - like anxiety due to worries of personal outcome. Is this something that actually exists in buddhism? I only know of advice to just observe and be with emotion as they come and go, and never heard of the idea of having a certain view or stance or attitude toward emotion.

I am a software engineer. Is it shameful if I became a monk throwing away all the knowledge that I have accumulated all these years(more than a decade). In my previous years, I was amused by programming. But now, I have become dispassioned with everything about my work. I see my accumulation of ideas / knowledge as useless. I am extremely confused.

From [Mindfulness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness) : >Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which one can develop through the practice of meditation and through other training. Followers of Buddhist teachings utilize mindfulness to develop self-knowledge and wisdom that gradually lead to what is described as enlightenment or the complete freedom from suffering. From [Detachment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detachment_(philosophy)) : >Detachment, also expressed as non-attachment, is a state in which a person overcomes his or her attachment to desire for things, people or concepts of the world and thus attains a heightened perspective. It is considered a wise virtue and is promoted in various Eastern religions, such as Taoism and Buddhism. I see that the two terms are very related, but I'd like to understand more about the differences and the interactions between the two. As in my understanding, the answer to the question https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/12905/13525 is that as long as one is detached to the past and the future, one can mindfully examine them. Is that correct?

Namo Buddhaya. After practicing Dhamma one becomes dispassionate. However Buddha says one should cultivate and practice Compassion. So am I not killing my own profit of dispassion by compassion? My question is: how can I remain compassionate if Dhamma makes me dispassionate? Or how can I remain dispassionate if Buddha asks me to remain compassionate?