Thursday, January 27, 2011

Letting Go

You might be surprised to hear how hopeless many people are at letting anything go. Some people say well yes, I’ve forgiven but I’ll never forget. Others say, oh I hardly ever think of it but it was definitely quite damaging at the time. People with a cause are even more tenacious. This may be in support of an underdog or it may be because they have a strong ethical perspective but nevertheless people hang on to every detail, whether they’re aware of it or not. If we look further afield, or at least in to one, we notice that trees know a thing or two about the rhythms and seasons of nature. They don’t hold on to their leaves, they let them fall. Without fear or a shadow of a doubt, they demonstrate their trust that more leaves will grow.

We can practice letting the things we are emotionally attached to go. This should be a systematic exercise, lining up as many apparently good and bad people or things each time in your mind’s eye. Simply deciding to let go of your attachment to your partner or children for ten minutes allows a healthy breathing space. This is because relationships are often obscured by dynamics of guilt and anxiety. We are supposed to enjoy ourselves and each other. For this to happen, it is really beneficial to let go of years of conditioning as well, again just by consciously choosing to. Incidentally, the tao understanding of making love is that it should have nine courses, with all sorts of rapture and ending in the woman’s complete letting go, into bliss. The man’s role in this being one of butler, glad to be of service, perhaps! Anyway that’s one incentive to give it some time. The other main reason to keep letting everything go, however challenging, is because bitterness and resentment will follow otherwise and probably end in an ulcer!

Have been clearing illusiveness, trouble and to shift the dynamic from building blocks to reaping what we've sown. All highly recommended, as is my one the other day for punctuality. I didn't think I'd see the day but I've been on schedule ever since. Very peaceful!

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