Buddhism reimagined

Buddhists believe that any form of attachment, craving, or grasping is detrimental. Instead, we should accept things as they are.

In other words, let go of the need for a situation to be different from what it is. It means ridding ourselves of our desires/wants.

Letting go is a difficult concept for me. Trust me, I have tried to let go of a lot. But for some reason, it’s just not that easy.

But then I came across a guided meditation [1] that introduced the concept of letting things be. That I can work with.

The concept of letting things be allows one to be passive about the acceptance. Letting go implies an action, which is why it is harder to practice.

I think that’s why I struggled for so long. I didn’t want to let go. I was holding on – with a death grip, no less. I wasn’t ok without whatever it was.

I wanted things to be different. The fact that I could not control the outcome is what made me suffer. By letting things be, the focus has shifted.

I can want something to be different from what it is, but understanding that I have no control over the outcome is incredibly freeing.

Because wants/desires really are our ways of manipulating the environment to suit ourselves. And usually it is to make us feel better about something.

But there is no form of manipulation that will ever suffice. Because ultimately, the problem isn’t what’s right or wrong with the moment.

It’s what’s missing within ourselves. If you shift your perspective internally, the external becomes less pressing. It’s about what you can do for yourself.

And it allows you to view things with some distance. It is easier to be ok with something when you realize there is nothing you can do about it.

And the irony is, by letting things be, you’re actually letting things go.

[1] https://link.downdogapp.com/share?sequenceId=AKQZWHLLY1U