Actively Letting It Be
By Lisa Templeton, Ph.D.
Published in June 2019 Luminous Wisdom: SOPHIA
To be active in letting it be means to practice. Life is a training ground for learning, although we often forget this. We are more at peace when we accept what is happening and are actively letting things be. Yet, what does that really mean exactly? How do we practice this?
Start with allowing yourself to be wherever you are, recognizing any resistance. To express resistance is an argument with reality that we will ultimately lose. Still, as humans, we reactively move into resistance in times of stress. Hence, letting it be is ultimately about identifying and acknowledging our resistance.
Whether it is resistance to an emotion, a thought, a traffic jam, a situation that didn’t go your way, or resistance to self-forgiveness from the past, we have to understand that resistance is there before we can let it go. Live in openness to what is. The more flexible we are, the more peace we experience. The more we flow with life.
We can’t let go of something of which we are not aware. Set your intent to notice what the energy of resistance feels like in your body so you can be more aware of it. For me, it can manifest as tension, irritability, disappointment, foreboding, and/or frustration. Sometimes, when I am feeling resistant, I feel heaviness in my heart or in my abdomen.
Once we recognize that we are resisting, we must then move into compassion. Our resistance is ultimately there as a form of protection. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really protect us, it only moves us away from peace. When actively letting it be, we notice the resistance, bring compassion to ourselves, and lean into the flow of e-motion.
Here, we move through life like waves on an ocean, staying mindful of our reactions and being as loving as possible. This now creates a response instead of a reaction. Ride each wave, each moment, with love. Stay loving, present, and aware of your actions and reactions with loving mindfulness. Keep breathing and offering yourself encouragement as you are continuing to practice in an active way. This creates active power.
Our actions play a huge role in actively letting it be. Choose positive thoughts and emotions. Be generous with others. Make statements that uplift yourself. Offer your smile to others and give light and love to everyone you meet. Be sure to seek out the beauty in the world. Nature is so grounding and amazing – we are living on a beautiful earth and life lives all around us, no matter where you are.
Set your intent to take time every day to slow your thoughts and consciously breathe. When you make an effort to actively change the quality of your being, the more peace and acceptance you create in and all around you. Drop the resistance, practice letting it be, and open your eyes to miracles.