‘Letting Go.’

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1806

Abstract

d sounds, especially when we relate with other people. What they say to us, especially if we don’t like it, causes a reaction. If someone says we’re stupid we generally take offence and, even though we know that our reaction is probably what they wanted, why do we give them that satisfaction?If you think about it, it’s not simply a case of who’s right or wrong. Imagine how quickly you will close them down by simply agreeing with a smile, “Yes I know!” and, if you are able to completely detach from the emotion surrounding their insult at the same time, imagine how great that would feel, you’re literally ‘letting go.’ It’s like water off a duck’s back. It doesn’t stick to you and you don’t even take the experience onboard.Similarly, if someone says we’re amazingly clever we go all gooey, “Ah, thanks s-o-o much!” Notice how our ego is happy to agree when it’s a compliment which we like but, when we think about it, they are all just words yet we allow them to play with our emotions and evoke these strong extreme reactions within us which lead us to experience either happiness or suffering.What we are aiming for is the ability to remain equanimous in both extremes therefore we should practice ‘letting go’ at every available opportunity.May this teaching lead you to happiness; may it help you grow in truth. May you be freed from the suffering of birth and death.<figure id="b3f2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*ApEZ0k48-E_7dcP6.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>You may also like these Dhamma articles:<div id="3425" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-actualise-bodhicitta-awakening-mind-every-day-60172a0e1dbc">

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‘Letting Go.’

#WednesdayWisdom — knowledge is learning something every day, wisdom is letting go of something every day: Zen proverb…

Photocredit: Image author’s own

It sounds quite easy but, as you’ll know if you’ve ever really tried, it’s not. It’s almost become a throwaway line but to truly be able to relinquish and let go takes away the pressure which we continually put ourselves under.

It’s hard to give a general example since we all have our own individual demons and something which triggers me might not be a problem for you and vice versa but, we can consider the sense impressions which we receive through our eyes and ears. This is where our initial responses of like and dislike usually arise. We see or hear something and our past experience leads us to immediately decide whether we like it or not. Maybe it makes us feel happy, scared or annoyed.

It is such a quick reflex but, in order to save ourselves from suffering, we can determine to leave it right there where it arises, at the ears or eyes, and not let it enter our mind. We let it go. If we don’t, we create clinging around it.

For example, when we hear a dog bark, we recognise the sound, we know it’s a dog barking and we can choose to accept that and not be bothered by it OR we can let it in by reacting, “I wish that bleep dog would stop barking!” and thereby allowing the sound to shatter the peace and tranquility of our mind’s natural state. That’s how you know it got to you.

If we watch ourselves we can see how we respond to different sights and sounds, especially when we relate with other people. What they say to us, especially if we don’t like it, causes a reaction. If someone says we’re stupid we generally take offence and, even though we know that our reaction is probably what they wanted, why do we give them that satisfaction?

If you think about it, it’s not simply a case of who’s right or wrong. Imagine how quickly you will close them down by simply agreeing with a smile, “Yes I know!” and, if you are able to completely detach from the emotion surrounding their insult at the same time, imagine how great that would feel, you’re literally ‘letting go.’ It’s like water off a duck’s back. It doesn’t stick to you and you don’t even take the experience onboard.

Similarly, if someone says we’re amazingly clever we go all gooey, “Ah, thanks s-o-o much!” Notice how our ego is happy to agree when it’s a compliment which we like but, when we think about it, they are all just words yet we allow them to play with our emotions and evoke these strong extreme reactions within us which lead us to experience either happiness or suffering.

What we are aiming for is the ability to remain equanimous in both extremes therefore we should practice ‘letting go’ at every available opportunity.

May this teaching lead you to happiness; may it help you grow in truth. May you be freed from the suffering of birth and death.

You may also like these Dhamma articles: