In class, we discussed the difference between the popular conception of Buddhism's regulation of emotions and the reality - the former that it simply removes the highs and lows of emotion, and the latter that it causes one's emotions to exist on a totally different level. I still wonder, however, how much actual joy is involved in achieving a disconnect from all attachment. It seems to me (and I could be wrong, of course) that the most significant joys in life are connected to attachment - stargazing with a good friend, for example. If one was not attached to such a friend, I would imagine that one would appreciate their company less; not to say that one could not appreciate them, but that a significant element of the appreciation would be gone.
Perhaps a middle ground between attachment and disconnection would be the ideal state for emotions. If one does develop attachments, and thus does feel loss when those attachments fail, but then learns to eventually let go of that loss, one can experience the best of both worlds.
I am not certain of my ideas here, so if anyone has comments I'd appreciate the input!
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