The air is a little cooler.
The wind is picking up.
The leaves are falling.
All signs from nature of the shedding process.
The shedding of layers from our past.
A practice of letting go.
I recently let go of a relationship that was no longer serving my highest self. I had been fighting the decision but knew it was the right thing to do for me. Resistance built up inside of me, wanting to hold onto the small breadcrumbs I was receiving and the comfort that it gave me every so often. Fear built up inside of me thinking, “well if I don’t have this, then I will have nothing.” Gripping onto the pleasure I did feel and not wanting to let go of that. There is a yoga principle called Aparigraha, non-grasping. Where there is attachment, there is suffering. Attachments bring us out of the present moment and we either live in the past or in the future, holding on to what was or wishing something was other than it is. When we let go of our grip, let go of the feeling, the thought, the expectation, we can step into a place of freedom.
This time of year, is a great time to assess what no longer serves us emotionally, physically, psychologically. We can take time to recognize the ways we might be holding on to things—grudges, physical clutter in our homes, relationships, habits. This practice of letting go and nonattachment has been a lifelong process for me. To release the gripping, the holding on to the idea and recognize the reality of what is. With that holding on, comes resistance to change or anything else that could come our way. It closes the door to possibilities or new horizons.
As we are now fully into this season of Fall, I invite you to consider reflecting on ways you can shed the layers within your life so you can feel a sense of freedom.
Where are you holding on to for dear life?
What are the thoughts and emotions that do not serve your highest self?
Where can you surrender and let go to invite in new possibility?
in light and love, Keegan
