Thoughts on Yoga
Letting Go is the Sweetest Bliss
2007-10-09
It's obvious to everyone that the world around us is changing fast. You don't even have to keep up on current events to be in touch with this truth--all you have to do this week is step outside. The yellowing leaves, the silvering grasses, and the slanting light are increasing rapidly day by day.
Despite our knowledge that conditions are changing more and more rapidly, most of our thoughts and actions are still based in habit. We carry forward our past experiences and try to apply them to the present moment.
Relying on habit is necessary for our sanity. Many of our daily tasks can be relegated to"auto-pilot", which can free up attention for dealing with the really important stuff. If we had to treat everything as if we're doing it for the first time we wouldn't be able to function.
The good thing about habits is that they require very little effort to maintain. The bad thing is that habits which are based in the past are out of sync with the rapidly changing present.
In order to live in harmony with your environment--including the natural world, other people, and the marketplace--you need to consciously cultivate your ability to let go of the past.
The inability to let go is the prime cause of suffering. Holding on to our past ways of seeing things put us at odds with what's true right now. You need to be able to see your life circumstances as they truly are, appreciate them fully, and generate some truly novel responses.
To start, bring to mind any situation which is causing you pain. Notice what you are holding on to in the situation. What can you let go of there? Reflect that holding on is causing the pain, letting go is the relief.
Take inspiration from nature. See how she lets go of everything she has generated over the spring and summer. Let nature show you the beauty of letting go of what's already served its purpose.
Attune yourself to the natural order of things and remember always that you are a product of that order. You can't stop its flow so don't try. Holding on is pain and stress. Letting go is the sweetest bliss.