Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Episode: Should Catholics Practice This Buddhist Principle? (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host: Ascension
Date: September 25, 2025

Overview:

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the spiritual concept of "detachment" as presented in Thomas à Kempis' classic Catholic work, The Imitation of Christ. He compares and contrasts the notion of detachment in Catholicism with its treatment in Buddhist and Stoic traditions. Fr. Mike aims to clarify what Christian detachment really means and why it is essential for living a life oriented toward God, not merely freedom from attachments but also freedom for love and generosity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Detachment

• Imitation of Christ’s Influence:
  • Fr. Mike mentions his commentary on The Imitation of Christ, calling it "the second most popular book, second only to the Bible." (00:25)
• Universal Wisdom of Detachment:
  • He notes, "Virtually all wise people have talked about the need we all have for detachment," pointing out its presence in Christian, Buddhist, and Stoic thought. (01:10)

2. What Is Detachment?

• Attachment to Unworthy Things:
  • People tend to "attach ourselves to things that are not worthy of ourselves."
  • Attachments often define our identity (possessions, status, others’ opinions, relationships). (01:30)
• The Passing Nature of Things:
  • Echoing Buddhist and Stoic wisdom, Fr. Mike reminds listeners:
    • "At some point your status is going to be taken away..."
    • "...every one of our relationships in this life is going to end." (02:27)

3. Christian Detachment vs. Buddhist/Stoic Detachment

• Not Indifference:
  • Fr. Mike clarifies:
    • “Detachment is not indifference in the negative sense... That’s not Christian detachment." (03:04)
• Recognizing the Gift and the Giver:
  • Assets, status, and relationships are "gifts" from God:
    • "We also recognize where this gift comes from...that source is God Himself.” (03:32)
  • “Whatever God has entrusted you with... we get to give back to him.” (03:49)
• Meaningfulness:
  • “It’s the opposite of meaningless. It is incredibly meaningful.” (03:59)

4. Freedom “From” and Freedom “For”

• Christian Detachment as Freedom:
  • "It's merely freedom from... being limited by your stuff, your relationships…” (04:18)
  • But more:
    • “Christian detachment has that. It also has freedom for. It's freedom for generosity…” (04:38)
    • “True detachment is to make oneself available... to whoever God is calling me to.” (05:00)
• Summary Distinction:
  • Buddhist and Stoic detachment is primarily about loss and non-attachment.
  • Christian detachment adds a positive dimension: being “available to the Lord” and “free for the call” God places in a person’s life.

5. Call to Action and Resources

• Fr. Mike invites listeners to:
  • “Check out this book, especially if you want freedom—not just freedom from the stuff that is less than us… but freedom for the call that God has on your life." (05:42)
  • He jokes about audiobook terminology: “Not just reading it with your eyeballs, but listening to it with your earballs.” (00:04 & 06:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s part of our broken human nature to attach ourselves to things that are not worthy of ourselves.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz (01:20)
• “Detachment is not indifference in the negative sense... That’s not Christian detachment.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz (03:04)
• “Whatever God has entrusted you with... we get to give back to him.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz (03:49)
• “Christian detachment has that. It also has freedom for. It’s freedom for generosity.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz (04:38)
• “True detachment is to make oneself available to the people in front of me, available to whoever God is calling me to.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz (05:00)
• Humorous note: “If you’re interested in not just reading it with your eyeballs, but listening to it with your earballs.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz (00:04 & 06:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–00:25 | Introduction, mention of The Imitation of Christ and audiobook project
• 01:10–02:27 | Universal need for detachment, sources of attachments
• 02:27–03:04 | How detachment appears in Buddhist and Stoic wisdom
• 03:04–03:59 | What Christian detachment is not; gifts and the Giver
• 04:18–05:00 | Freedom from vs. freedom for; positive dimension of Christian detachment
• 05:42–06:10 | Final encouragement, humor, and reminders about resources

Summary

Fr. Mike Schmitz tackles the question of whether Catholics should practice detachment as promoted in Buddhist and Stoic philosophies. He affirms the importance of detachment but points out the distinctly Christian understanding: detachment is not about indifference or denial of meaning, but about freedom—so that one can love, serve, and respond to God’s call more fully. He encourages listeners to embrace this form of detachment to experience both “freedom from” what holds us back and “freedom for” the deeper purpose to which God invites us.