The Relationship Between Letting Go and Getting Rid Of

When we talk about the idea of letting go of something, there’s sometimes still some hope that letting go of something will automatically get rid of it. Why else would we do it? So people try really really hard to let go and notice that what they’re letting go of, be it an emotion or circumstance, doesn’t actually go away.

Let’s explore the mechanics of letting go of something and see how this differs from pushing against something.

Letting Go

photo credit: amanky

Imagine holding a pebble in your fist with your fist in front of you, palm down. Now squeeeeeeze that pebble with all your might. You’ve got it in your hand and there’s simply no chance of the pebble falling away.

Now no matter how hard you try to throw the pebble, it’s not going to leave. Why? Because you’re still holding onto it so strongly.

If you want to get rid of the pebble, your job is actually not to get rid of it. Simply let go of holding onto it. When you relax your hand and open up your palm, gravity does the rest and the pebble automatically leaves.

Do you see this? You do NOTHING to actually make the pebble leave your hand. You simply open up and stop resisting.

This is KEY.

Letting go has nothing to do with pushing away and everything to do with non-resistance.

To see an example of applying this principle, check out the article How To Deal With Negative Emotions.