Letting Go

Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a
pioneer of the future. The past is closed and limited, the future is open and free. - Dr. Deepak Chopra

In practical terms surrender means letting go. Although you don’t realize it, reality isn’t a given. Each of
us inhabits a separate reality. Your mind maintains your personal version of reality by buttressing it with
beliefs, expectations, and interpretations. Your mind blocks the free flow of the life force by saying, “This
is how things must and should be.” Letting go releases you from the insistent grip, and when you let go, new
forms of reality can enter.

You only have to take a ride on a roller coaster to see who gets more enjoyment out of the experience, those
who clutch tight with white knuckles and clenched jaws or those who let go and allow themselves to be carried up
and down without resistance.

Letting go is a process. You have to know when to apply it, what to let go of, and how to let go. Your mind
is not going to show you any of these things; worst still, your ego is going to try to prevent you from making
progress since it believes that you have to hold on in order to survive. Your only ally in letting go is spirit,
which sees reality as a whole and therefore has no need to create partial realities based on limitation.

The whole path to love could be described as learning to let go, but letting go all at once isn’t possible.
This is a path of many small steps. At any given moment the steps are basically the same: awareness begins
to substitute for reactions. A reaction is automatic; it draws upon fixed beliefs and expectations, images
of past pain and pleasure residing in memory, waiting to guide you in future situations.

Overcoming any reaction requires an act of awareness. Awareness doesn’t resist the imprint of memory. It goes
into it and questions whether you need it now. In the face of a big dog, awareness tells you that you aren’t a
small child anymore and that not all big dogs bite. Being aware of this you can ask if you need to hold on to
fear. Whether you wind up petting the dog, ignoring it, or withdrawing is now a matter of choice. Reactions
result in a closed set of options: awareness results in an open set of options.

When to let go
The critical times to let go are when you feel the strongest urge not to. We all hold on tightest when our fear,
anger, pride, and distrust take over. Yet these forces have no spiritual validity. At those moments when you
are afraid, angry, stubborn, or mistrustful, you are in the grip of unreality. Your ego is forcing you to react
from the past, blinding you to new possibilities here and now.
Spirit has a good outcome for any situation, if you can open yourself to it.
What to let go of
If the right time to let go is when you don’t want to, the thing to let go of is the thing you feel you must
hold on to. Fear. Anger, stubbornness, and distrust portray themselves as your rescuers. Actually those energies
only make you more closed off. For example, panicky people tend to act that way because it is familiar; the
same is true for angry and stubborn people. It is helpful to challenge familiar reactions by stating that
you no longer believe in them. Here are a few examples:
Instead of saying “I have to have my way,” say to yourself, “I don’t know everything. I can accept an outcome
I can’t see right now.”
Instead of saying” I’m incredibly afraid,” say to yourself “fear isn’t me” Being more afraid doesn’t make it
any more real.” (This technique is also applicable to feelings of overwhelming anger, distrust, rejection,
anxiety, and so forth).
How to let go
Since letting go is a deeply personal choice you are going to have to be your own teacher. The process takes
place on every level—physical, mental, emotional—where energy can be stuck or held and no two people have
exactly the same issues. You may feel comfortable with a lot more physical release than I do; I may feel
comfortable with a lot more emotional release than you do. It is important to find the balance between physical,
mental, and emotional release that works for you.
I also suggest that you embrace the following ideas as appropriate:
-This is just an experience. I’m here on earth to have experiences. Nothing is wrong.
-My higher Self knows what is going on. This situation is for my benefit, even if I can’t see that now.
-My fears may come true, but the outcome will not destroy me. It may even be good. I’ll wait and see.
-I’m having a strong reaction now, but it isn’t the real me. It will pass.
-Whatever I am afraid of losing is meant to go. I will be better off when new energies come in. Whatever fear
says, nothing can destroy me.
-When people fall they don’t break, they bounce.
-Change is inevitable. Resisting change doesn’t work.
-There is something here for me, if I have the awareness to find it.
-The things I fear the most have already happened. I don’t want to hold on anymore. My purpose is to let go
and welcome what is to come.
-Life is on my side.
-I am loved, therefore I am safe.
I encourage you to embrace the coming season with a sense of openness, vitality, and a renewed sense of pure
potentiality.

Love, Deepak   https://www.karinya.com/surrender.htm

Top ten things to let go of today

1. Clutter – Instead of focusing on clearing the
   clutter from your entire house, focus on one drawer, one closet, one
   room, or one surface at time. Being free from clutter allows you to see
   what’s important in your drawers, and in your life.


2. Obsession with numbers – Letting numbers on a
   scale, in your bank account or even on your google analytics dictate
   your mood for the day, is no way to live life on purpose. Instead of
   checking your weight every morning, choose one afternoon a week, or
   every two weeks to check your numbers. Use the numbers as markers of
   progress, not indicators of who you are, or how you feel.


3. Fear of not being good enough Feeling like you
   don’t measure up, may have come from your childhood, or a bad
   relationship, but now, that feeling is just a voice in your head. It’s your voice and your life. Recognize all that you have accomplished, and all you have to give and quiet that voice, for good.


4. A toxic relationship Holding on to someone that
   always brings you down, may be good for them, but not for you. The time
   you spend with others should inspire you, not depress you. Remember
   there is a difference between a friend that is going through a tough
   time and a toxic friendship. Once a relationship becomes damaging to the
   way you act, feel or think, it is time to let go.


5. Facebook friends Today, people often assess their
   value by their number of “friends” or “followers”. Instead, place value
   on your actions and character. Go through your list of connections and
   decide which ones aren’t useful to you. Un-friending and un-following is
   not personal. Ask yourself if you are connecting with someone via
   social media for business or pleasure, and make sure your list is
   in-line with your goals and values.


6. Regret Learn from your mistakes but don’t live in
   them. The choices you make every day shape your life. Looking back with
   more knowledge, you may have made different choices, but without a few
   bumps in the road or downright bad decisions, you wouldn’t be the person
   you are today.


7. Bad providers In most cases, doctors, investment
   bankers, auto mechanics and other service providers work for you. You
   pay them to help you. If they aren’t helping you, or you don’t like
   working with them, let them go.


8. Doing it all – Instead of doing it all, do all you
   really care about. Do what you energizes you and speaks to your spirit.
   Don’t feel pressured because you think everyone you know is doing 100
   different, amazing things at once. Do what is right for you. When you
   redirect your energy in this way, you immediately become more effective.


9. Resistance to change – Change brings opportunity
   and uncertainty. While uncertainty can cause fear, excitement and new
   challenges, standing still and resisting change will leave you
   uninspired, more fearful and closed minded and that is no way to live
   life on purpose!


10. Goals that don’t fit anymore Letting go of goals
    and dreams can be the most challenging of all. As our lives change, we
    change, and things that seemed so important years ago may slowly fade
    away. Instead of beating yourself up for not achieving your goal, focus
    on your new dreams and develop goals that reflect who you are right now.