Listen To Letting Go

A legend from the turn of the century describes two renunciants who traveled along the back roads of India. They wore traditional orange robe garb with shaven heads while carrying their sole possessions. This included a begging bowl for they lived a life dependent on community support.

After hiking the stony path for hours it began to rain. Now, their journey became a challenging trek littered with potholes and puddles. Suddenly, they crossed paths with a striking woman dressed in a brilliant canary silk sari. She hesitated as an enormous pool of mud blocked her way.

One of the renunciants leapt forward as soon as he noticed her dilemma. He lifted her in his arms and carried her across the obstacle. She acknowledged his helping hands with a silent nod and strode off. Although the second monk’s face tensed when he witnessed his brother’s act, he said nothing.

They strode along hoping to reach their ashram destination in the neighboring village before nightfall. The first monk hiked stoically, absorbed in meditation as they tramped across a mountain range as formidable as the Eastern Ghats. But, his contemplation was short-lived when abruptly the second monk lashed out.

“How could you act so brazenly by carrying that woman across the mud?” he shouted.

“Brother, you’ve carried her all this way. I let her down three hours ago.”

Notice the enemy

Our minds have a habitual way of ruminating over and over deliberating on whatever it is that poked one of our issues. This habit may be due to all those years we’ve indulged in repetitive thinking, believing we’re right.

To release requires a conscious effort or a process to let go of all the obvious as well as hidden thoughts that flooded our mind. If we don’t let go, the ill will piles up, festers over time, and then creates resentment (if held against another), or regret (if held against yourself).

The cost

It’s easy to succumb—in fact these nauseous enemies can multiply and layer one on top of another until our health is compromised, or we overreact in anger while in situation that had nothing to do with what bothered us in the first place. We might feel fatigue or are unable to concentrate.

Letting go

Loosen up the culprit thoughts and rid yourself of them by adopting some strategies. It helps to laugh. Be kind by giving yourself time to purge these nagging enemies if you haven’t instantly let go the moment your buttons are pushed. This takes practice and a conscientious effort once you notice one of those thoughts snuck up on you again.

The benefits of letting go are phenomenal happiness, health, and most of all forgiveness. As soon as you forgive yourself, you’re able to forgive anyone else and your higher self bathes you in a flood of joy.