We all have experienced an upsetting reaction as we live through some unwanted situation. Then, our feelings of fear, guilt and shame may rise up and grab our attention. We begin to appreciate these incidents as opportunities for our growth.
Please let this quote from Michael Singer’s book, The Untethered Soul, inspire you on this topic.
“If you truly want to grow spiritually, you’ll realize that (not standing up to) … your stuff is keeping you trapped. Eventually, you’ll want out at any cost. You will then realize that life is actually trying to help you. Life is surrounding you with people and situations that stimulate growth.
You don’t have to worry about right or wrong. You don’t have to worry about other people’s issues. You only have to open your heart in the face of anything and everything and to permit the purification process to take place.
When you (open your heart), the first thing you will see is that situations will unfold that hit your stuff. But in truth that’s exactly what has been happening your entire life. The only difference is now you see it as a good thing because it is an opportunity to let go.”[1]
Analyzing and reviewing the situation takes us deeper into that fear and represents holding on not letting go. Instead of holding the stuff in place, we learn to release, breathe and return to present time.
An Example of Letting Go
Chloe attended a meeting on “goal setting,” a topic with which C often felt uncomfortable feelings. While listening, she started to feel vulnerable, angry, shamed, guilty and more. Oh my! Our protagonist noticed she was NOT letting go.
Inside herself, C reached for calm and confidence. She observed that she was not shifting immediately. Can she make that ok to feel lousy for a moment?
This Star enjoyed noticing she felt less upset than in past experiences on this subject. “Hey I am making progress!” she declared to herself.
Indeed, the Heroine felt the pull to start a tirade, pushing against the assumptions and contents of the lecture. This time she skipped that. 😊
Good News Steps, she:
- Put her attention on enjoyable thoughts and pursuits: shopping, listing some self-appreciations.
- Made these moments of reactivity and misery ok.
- Took a walk, worked on an article, wrote a fun email.
- Ate good food and watched enjoyable tv.
- Kept going and flowed along.
The next day shone brightly. Goodness enveloped her: Well Being Poured Down, Around and Through. Chloe let herself be.
In our culture, it is common to deny the feeling and put a smile on your face. Instead, it is more effective to surrender to the feeling in that moment, then moving gradually into coming back to ease. Offer yourself gift of some time. Flow with the momentum and allow recovery bit by bit.
Have some stories of your letting go that you want to share? Please comment! Have a question? This author will respond 😊
Janet Pearlman is a spiritual teacher, counselor, healer and artist. These posts demonstrate everyday applications of the path to greater self knowledge and mastery. Opportunities for greater empowerment abound in the moments of our lives. As we all go for operating from a centered and loving space, we are creating a world where peace can prevail. In her forty-six year journey of self-discovery, Janet has deeply studied the teachings of Abraham-Hicks, Ernest Holmes, Inayat Khan and more. Janet offers individual sessions by phone and in person. Please contact her at jpearl555@earthink.net to arrange an appointment.
[1] Michael Singer, The Untethered Soul (Oakland, New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2007) p.74