The Art of Letting Go
In our wellness-focused world, 'letting go' has become somewhat of a buzzword – we hear it in yoga classes, see it emblazoned on promotional material, and often receive it as well-meaning advice. But what does it truly mean to 'let go"? And, perhaps more importantly, how do we actually go about it?
Behind this seemingly simple phrase lies a profound practice – a journey of understanding, patience, and gentle commitment. In a world driven by achievement and constant doing, mastering the art of letting go can be genuinely transformative. Yet, it is often misunderstood and oversimplified.
Understanding the Discomfort of Letting Go
Letting go isn’t about giving up or becoming passive. It’s about moving from rigid attachment and control to a place of gentle surrender and openness. It’s recognising what no longer serves us and finding the courage to release it.
Consider your morning coffee ritual. Perhaps you sense it’s affecting your state of mind, causing spikes in anxiety, digestion issues, or fluctuating energy. Yet the thought of giving it up feels impossible – it's woven into your day. This is resistance in action – the mind’s way of protecting familiar routines. You may know that switching to something caffeine-free could bring a sense of ease, but even the thought of it is met with unease.
Resistance often emerges when we sense a change we could make, but the discomfort involved makes us hesitate.
Read that again.
Sometimes, it’s the choice not to act that keeps us feeling stuck, as we avoid the discomfort.
The unease of letting go can stem from a few common thoughts:
"I'm afraid to make this change because I don’t know what will happen.”
“I’d rather stay with the familiar, even if it brings suffering.”
"I feel like I’ll lose control."
This resistance often traces back to a fear of the unknown. When we try to micromanage everything, we end up creating friction in our lives – prolonging the discomfort unnecessarily. But when we learn to surrender, we align ourselves with life’s natural flow, opening to a sense of ease and grace.
The question remains: how do we navigate beyond this discomfort?
The Role of Meditation in Letting Go
Letting go means learning to sit with our uncomfortable feelings. Avoiding them prevents growth and prolongs stress. Rather than rejecting these "negative" emotions, we can choose to feel them fully, unlocking potential for healing and transformation.
Meditation invites us to embrace what arises, even when it feels unexpected. These moments hold an opportunity for growth. When we welcome these uncomfortable feelings and intense emotions, we open the door to healing, transformation, and a renewed sense of peace.
Regular meditation is like adding depth and texture to life’s canvas. Over time, it helps us let go of what no longer serves us, revealing old attachments, beliefs, and ideas ready to fade away. Rather than resisting these shifts, we can allow ourselves to experience them, processing emotions and reducing stress. Through meditation, we build resilience and learn to embrace the natural cycles of change.
Letting go can feel unsettling, like a series of small farewells. But this is the essence of growth – we evolve through gentle cycles of transformation. When we fully allow these feelings to flow through, we prevent them from causing deeper stress.
Simple Ways to Strengthen Your ‘Let Go’ Muscle
So, how can we actively cultivate the skill of letting go? Here are some practical steps to begin:
Explore a Mantra-Based Meditation
Practicing Vedic Meditation is a powerful way to replace unhelpful thoughts with those that are more supportive and enlightened. When we immerse ourselves in the charm of our boundless nature, the mind naturally and effortlessly begins to let go during meditation. The more we experience this in our eyes-closed meditation, the more it enhances our ability to let go in the flow of daily life in our eyes-open state.Reframe self-judgement
If you catch yourself saying, “I shouldn’t feel this way” or “I shouldn’t do this,” pause. Replace it with softer language, like, “I notice this pattern in me…” or “I’m aware this feeling is here now.” Try placing a hand on your heart as you do so, nurturing yourself with compassion and acceptance.Reflect on your actions
After meditation, ask yourself, "What in my daily life lacks qualities of flow and ease?" This awareness will grow over time - you’ll begin to recognise actions that bring ease and charm, which naturally open the door to release.
This isn’t about forcing yourself to let go; instead, trust the subtle effects of your meditation practice. Over time, you’ll find that old attachments, doubts, and fears start to drift away without needing to push them. The more you tune in to the blissful state of being, the more you can surrender to life as it is, even when it’s a bit uncomfortable.
The Gift of Freedom Through Acceptance
Releasing control and attachments leads to a profound sense of freedom, known in Sanskrit as Moksha - the ultimate liberation from the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This isn’t only about finding freedom for yourself; it’s about learning to live in harmony with life itself. By softening the heart and mind, we can embrace life’s rhythms and find peace amidst its natural cycles.
When we let go of our expectations and trust in life’s unfolding, we make room for beauty, growth, and transformation. As you journey through this practice, be gentle with yourself. Embrace the discomfort, the small deaths, and the rebirths that come with them. In letting go, we create space for something new and beautiful to enter our lives.
As Sri Sri Ravi Shankar reminds us:
“Life teaches you the art of letting go in every event. When you have learnt to let go, you will be joyful, and as you start being joyful, more will be given to you.”
If you feel drawn to explore meditation, I would be honoured to support you on this journey. Together, let’s step towards a life enriched with greater ease, clarity, and inner peace.
Discover more about meditation here
With love and light,
Kazzie xx
