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“Letting go” is one of those phrases that gets thrown around a lot in spiritual circles. We’re told to let go of our attachments, our fears, our past, and even our desires. But what does it really mean to let go? And why is it so hard to do?
I remember the first time I tried to “let go.” I was going through a difficult breakup, and everyone kept telling me to just let go and move on. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to do it. I felt like I was failing at something that was supposed to be simple.
It wasn’t until I learned from a spiritual master that I began to understand what letting go truly means—and why most of us misunderstand it. In this article, we’ll explore the deeper meaning of letting go, why it’s so challenging, and how we can practice it in a way that brings peace and freedom.
What Letting Go Isn’t
One of the biggest misconceptions about letting go is that it means giving up or becoming indifferent. We think that to let go, we have to stop caring, stop feeling, or stop trying. But this isn’t what letting go is about.
The spiritual master I learned from explained that letting go isn’t about suppressing or denying our emotions. It’s not about pretending everything is fine when it’s not. And it’s certainly not about abandoning our responsibilities or relationships.
What Letting Go Is
So, what does it mean to truly let go? According to the spiritual master, letting go is about releasing our grip on what we cannot control. It’s about surrendering our need to micromanage life and trusting that things will unfold as they should.
Letting go is an act of faith. It’s recognizing that we are not the ultimate controllers of our lives. It’s about accepting what is, rather than resisting it. And it’s about finding peace in the midst of uncertainty.
Why Letting Go Is So Hard
Letting go is hard because it goes against our natural instincts. As humans, we’re wired to seek control and security. We want to know what’s going to happen, and we want to feel like we’re in charge.
But life is inherently unpredictable. No matter how much we plan or prepare, we can’t control everything. And this lack of control can feel terrifying.
The spiritual master explained that our resistance to letting go often stems from fear. We’re afraid of what might happen if we release our grip. We’re afraid of being hurt, of failing, or of losing what we have.
The Practice of Letting Go
Letting go isn’t something we do once and for all. It’s a practice—a daily, moment-to-moment choice. Here are some practical steps to help you cultivate the art of letting go:
- Recognize What You Can and Cannot Control
Make a list of the things you can control (your thoughts, actions, and reactions) and the things you can’t (other people’s opinions, the past, the future). Focus your energy on what you can control and let go of the rest. - Practice Acceptance
Acceptance doesn’t mean you have to like or approve of what’s happening. It simply means acknowledging reality as it is, rather than resisting it. - Surrender to the Present Moment
The present moment is the only place where life truly exists. When you find yourself worrying about the future or regretting the past, bring your attention back to the here and now. - Trust the Process
Letting go requires trust—trust in yourself, trust in others, and trust in the universe. Remind yourself that everything is unfolding as it should, even if it doesn’t feel like it. - Be Gentle with Yourself
Letting go is a journey, not a destination. It’s okay if you struggle with it. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you learn to release your grip.
A Personal Story: Learning to Let Go
I’ll never forget the moment I truly understood what it means to let go. I was sitting in a meditation class, feeling overwhelmed by all the things I was trying to control in my life. The spiritual master leading the class said something that struck me deeply: “Letting go doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you care enough to trust.”
Those words shifted something in me. I realized that my attempts to control everything were actually a form of mistrust—a lack of faith in myself and in life. From that moment on, I began to practice letting go, little by little. And over time, I found a sense of peace and freedom I had never known before.
Final Thoughts
Letting go is one of the most profound and liberating practices we can undertake. It’s not about giving up or becoming indifferent; it’s about releasing our grip on what we cannot control and trusting in the flow of life.
Remember, letting go is a practice. It’s something we do over and over again, moment by moment. And each time we do, we create space for peace, joy, and freedom to enter our lives.
Here’s to letting go and living fully.
With love and light,
Alex James
