Letting Go: The Cycle of Surrender, Acceptance, Faith and Self-Love

Introduction

Seneca, one of the great philosophers, once said that the greatest loss of time is delay and expectation, which depend upon the future. In his words, we let go of the present, which we have in our power, and look forward to that which depends upon chance, thereby relinquishing a certainty for an uncertainty.

Indeed, letting go is a difficult but necessary practice to maintain balance and inner peace. It is a cycle of surrendering, acceptance, having faith, and practicing self-love. It is not a one-time act, but a process we must repeatedly undergo, especially in the face of an incessant mind chatter that seeks to plunge us into self-doubt, fear, and control.

This article explores five reasons we tend to cling onto our desires instead of surrendering and letting go, as well as how we can practice letting go even when it seems hard to do so.

The Five Reasons We Resist Letting Go

1. Fear

Fear is the primary reason why we resist change as we step into the unknown. It is natural to feel scared about the unknown because we have no idea what to expect. However, holding onto fear inhibits our potential for growth and progress. Instead, we must face fear head-on, realize that it is holding us back from what we desire, and let go of its grip.

2. Lack of Faith

We live in a society that often looks for external gratification, leading to a lack of faith in our abilities, worthiness, and the universe. Our lack of faith continually brings us back to that dark place of fear, shame, and control. However, by having faith in ourselves and trusting the universe will unfold as it should, we open ourselves up to a deeper level of inner peace and acceptance.

3. Guilt and Shame

Guilt and shame can create a sense of entanglement between our self-worth and our desires, impeding our ability to let go. Shame often creates a pervasive feeling that we are not good enough, keeping us clinging to our desires even when it’s time to let go. On the other hand, guilt makes us question our actions, creating a sense that letting go is equivalent to betrayal. However, we must recognize that letting go is an act of self-love, leading to positive growth, and fulfillment.

4. Beliefs

Our beliefs can be an obstacle in letting go. Often, our beliefs come from our ego and are self-constructed and linked to our self-image. For instance, we may believe that we would have control if we were taller, thinner, smarter, or prettier. To let go, we must step back and identify our ego at work and stop it in its tracks.

5. Timing

Sometimes, it may not be the right time for us to let go of something. The universe may be attempting to teach us a lesson before we can move on. Therefore, we must trust that the time will come when it’s right to let go and learn from the experience.

How to Practice Letting Go

To let go, we need to stay present, listen to our heart, and let go of our desires by detaching emotionally and walking away. Although it may sound challenging, the ability to let go is something we can all control. Just as we can let go of a physical object, we can let go of our desires.

The mind may bother us about our decision to let go, but we must ignore it as it will eventually dissipate. We must recognize that the process of letting go does not happen instantly, but rather it requires persistence and an unwavering commitment to growth and fulfillment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, letting go is an essential part of life, and it is something we must practice daily to maintain balance and inner peace. As the Zen proverb states, we must either let go or be dragged. The choice is ours. By letting go of our desires, we free ourselves from the entanglements that prevent us from growth, progress, and fulfillment. We all have the ability to let go, and by doing so, we create a life that allows us to be true to ourselves and live in harmony with the universe.