Basic attitudes of mindfulness: the art of letting go
Mindfulness and letting go are two terms that stand in a narrow, almost poetic relationship with each other. Letting go – or “letting go” – describes a central basic attitude of the Mindfulnessof which is deeply rooted in Buddhist and philosophical traditions. This attitude invites you to create a conscious distance to thoughts, feelings and expectations without losing sight of the depth and beauty of life.
The origin of suffering
The philosophy of letting go (non-harassement) goes directly to the teachings of the historical Buddha Back, which in his first sermon made it clear that the cause of our suffering (Dukkha) can be found in ancient (Tanha). In the “Dhammapada” it says aptly: “Adjusting things about things is the cause of suffering.” Letting go with mindfulness does not mean turning away from everything or dushing emotionally. Rather, the conscious non-imprisonment opens up the opportunity to live free of compulsive desire and unconscious, and creates space for deep satisfaction and inner clarity.
Mindfulness in everyday life – learn to let go
In the practice of mindfulness, letting go is central, because it enables the current moment to be clearly and impartially experienced. Jon Kabat-Zinn, pioneer of modern mindfulness practice, aptly describes it: “Letting go does not mean that you don’t care, but that you accept that you cannot control it.” It is often control and capture that bind our energy and prevent us from being really present and alive.
Freedom through non-identification
Leaving mindful letting go also not constantly identifying with his thoughts, feelings or material possessions. This leads to an inner freedom that allows us to make life more authentic, fulfilling and less stressed. From this, emotional resilience, mental clarity and a deeper connection to one’s own life arise.
The beauty of the open heart
The philosopher Alan Watts found wonderful words: “To enjoy, you have to let go. Clamping yourself, means that you are afraid of losing – and that means suffering.” This is precisely this is the deepest knowledge: True happiness does not arise from accumulating and holding on, but by brave trust, to accept life with open hands and an open heart.
A mindful life of abundance
Letting go in the sense of mindfulness is therefore not just an exercise or method, but a life path that leads to inner abundance, real joy and a deeply felt freedom. It is the decision for existence, in which clarity, compassion and happiness can thrive – free of the burden of holding.
Three demanding mindfulness exercises to let go
1. The cloud exercise: let’s go thoughts
- Goal: Dissolve the identification with thoughts and promote serenity.
- Directions: Sit upright but relaxed. Conclose your eyes and imagine that every thought that appears is a cloud in the sky. Instead of getting caught up in the thoughts, they watch, name them briefly (“concern”, “memory”, “planning”) and imagine how they slowly pass by.
- Knowledge: Thoughts come and go – they don’t define our being.
2. The bowl exercise: entrust emotions
- Goal: Consciously recognize and let go of emotional loads.
- Directions: Take a small bowl or bowl. Write on small pieces of paper, which concerns, fears or stressful wishes you want to let go. Put the notes in the shell. Linger for a few minutes in silent mindfulness and feel the weight of the shell as a symbol of your emotional load. Finally deliberately stop the bowl and say internally: “I can let go.”
- Knowledge: We have the strength to free ourselves from emotional stress.
3. The mental Meditation: accept what changes
- Goal: Accept the natural transience of life and develop trust.
- Directions: Sit in a place where you can watch nature: a plant, a river, falling leaves. Detect your attention to the constant change, the constant becoming and passing. Consciously breathe in and out while you visualize: everything is in the flow, and I am also part of this change.
- Knowledge: Acceptance of transience opens the way to inner peace and deep connection with life.