Learn to let go

One of the many gifts of mindfulness is a greater awareness of the lenses through which you see the world.

As thoughts and sensations begin to arise, you might learn not only to not identify with them, but to question them.

Where is this coming from?

What is the stimulus for this experience?

This questioning need not be judgmental, in fact that only spurs a negative series of follow-on thoughts and sensations. Instead, it can be purely curious.

Curiosity comes from complete acceptance of our experience and surrender to the moment.

From this place of curiosity, we can begin to ask why?

And why?

And why?

And then we begin to see how deep the rabbit hole goes.

If you are honest, with rigor and without judgment, you will see the underlying motivations that drive your world. And you might be surprised at what you find.

The sense of not being enough, a need to prove your worth, the quest to be lovable, the fear of loss, a need for control.

If you find this rigid bedrock of “self”, I invite you to let go.

“Letting go” might at first feel like rejection of the thought. Or might feel empty, as if you can tell yourself to “let go” but nothing actually happens.

First, understand what is happening when you encounter your underlying motivations. There is seeking. There is need. Second, understand that the antidote to these is wholeness, completeness.

You are, by definition, whole. You are complete. In this moment. As you are. There is nothing more you need to be. You already are.

From this place of total self-acceptance, how do you see others? How do you see those you fear? How do you see yourself? Is there compassion? Is there love?

Letting go can be scary. It is a continual process of renewal. Rejection of the old familiar habits which guide you, and acceptance of a deeper, more aligned you.

But once you get a glimpse of it, you might find that it is the only real path to take.