2 Important Meanings of “Let Go”

We talk about letting go of thoughts, letting go of clinging, etc. I think it’s important to distinguish “letting go” from making these things go away - pushing them away or stuffing them. There are 2 meanings to “let go” that can be very useful.

First, “let go” as the opposite of “hold on”. If we find ourselves clinging to a thought, feeling, desire, etc. - perhaps breeding a cascade of thoughts from the first one, or trying to make a pleasant feeling last longer, or figuring out how to satisfy a desire - we are holding on, and we can just let go - release the hold.

Secondly, “let go” as the opposite of “make go”. Emphasis here on the word “let”. So letting go of a thought, feeling, etc., doesn’t involve an effort or a struggle - “making it go away”. It will fade away on its own - it’s impermanent; so no effort is required. We just let it go. This is important because trying to make it go away puts us into a state of aversion, which upsets mental clarity and emotional stability. And using patience to wait for it to fade away also gives us a moment to perceive what the thought, feeling, etc. is. That, in itself, is mindfulness!

So let’s let (not make) go!

Photo: Gianandrea Villa