How To Let Go

By Taruni Manam, Edited by Samita Pandit, Arushi Patil, Neve Walker, Layout by Shoffana Sundaramoorthy, Art by Juee Deshmukh & Blogged by Gunkriti Kaur

Letting go is an art form that when used correctly, leads to the liberation of the mind.

The word “detachment” tends to have a negative connotation. The word is synonymous with parting, disconnection, and separation. However, detachment is also synonymous with freeing: a word with a positive connotation. Detachment is a form of art and when used healthily, can be liberating to a person’s mind.

There are a number of reasons for the negative connotation behind detachment, but one reason that most agree with is the positive connotation behind detachment’s antonym: attachment. The opposite of detachment is a product of passion. If you have ever wanted something so bad that you would do anything for it, you would understand this feeling of passion leading to attachment. Detachment, however, is often associated with the separation of your passion and having to let go.

In order to look at detachment positively, it’s important to maintain a mindset that will do so. While passion is an important quality of a human being, sometimes it’s more important to look at the bigger picture of the world: there is more to life than the neediness of our minds. As curt as it sounds, life may not be all about what you want at the moment. More so, it’s about living in the moment. Therefore, detachment is not a form of withdrawal or separation. Additionally, detachment is not about letting go of responsibilities. Instead, detachment can be seen as a way to live. It is about remaining fully involved with a passion while letting go of a need to be attached. When practicing the art of detachment, you step out of your mind to see the world objectively.

So, the question remains: How to let go? Letting go takes an immense amount of time and effort. Here are four steps you can take to help you along the way.

1. Analyze the thoughts around your attachment

Here is where you start to step out of your mind. You need to objectively ask yourself questions and answer them. Here are some examples of questions you can use: What are you afraid of? Why is it difficult to let go? What does this attachment mean within you? As you ask yourself these questions, you get to understand the fear you have of letting go. This allows you to healthily shift your thoughts.

2. Let go of expectations

There is a sense of the unknown when digging deeper into the outcome of attachment. It is unknown how long it will take to let go. It is unknown what lies ahead of you. Therefore, it is important to trust the unknown. Let go of the expectations you hold for the future, and trust what you cannot see right now.

3. Practice mindfulness

Letting go is like a roller coaster because there will be at least a few instances of back and forth when taking on the art of detachment. Therefore, you need to monitor your progress. Make sure that whenever you feel a sense of attachment, go back to asking yourself your questions. If you need a change, mindfulness techniques will help. Techniques such as meditation, yoga, mantras, and visualization are known to help with both mindfulness and self-control.

4. Focus on yourself

The attachment you have takes control over you. It is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is not always healthy. Now that you have focused so much time on detachment, you have to shift your focus from your attachment to you. Check-in with yourself. Healthy detachment gives assurance that no matter what happens along the way, you will be okay. This is a good time to build relationships and interact with others in order to be happy.

Ultimately, letting go is a choice. However, letting go will provide freedom and liberation of the mind along with a sense of control to see life objectively. So, please use the steps above whenever you feel that you want to healthily let go.

References:

Owens, W. (2021, July 6). The Art of Detachment: Learning to Let Go. https://medium.com/love-the-magazine/the-art-of-detachment-learning-to-let-go-1fab1f7e2a87.

Shenoy, S. (2018, November 23). The Subtle Art of Healthy Detachment. The Dream Catcher. http://thedreamcatch.com/the-subtle-art-of-healthy-detachment/.

Youssef, E. (2017, September 5). How to Practice the Art of Detachment in 4 Steps.: elephant journal. How to Practice the Art of Detachment in 4 Steps. https://www.elephantjournal.com/2017/09/how-to-practice-the-art-of-detachment-in-4-steps/.

by Juee Deshmukh