For when we want to “let go” but can’t.

Mindfulness Talk

For some life moments, just “letting go” of something is so freeing and exactly what I need to hear.  But there are other times, especially with bigger or longer hurts, when I just can’t.  And then letting go feels like yet another thing I’m failing at.  Sigh.

Meditation is often seen as synonymous with “letting go”. But meditation is actually way more practical than that. Meditation is more like “ungripping” or “unattaching”.  The goal is not to let it go, but to just loosen its grip a bit.

If just hearing this lifts a bit of weight off, try this meditation and you might just get some much needed wiggle-room.

Meditation

Sit comfortably and begin to breathe.  Close your eyes and start to scan your body.  Find where you are feeling that emotion.  Maybe it’s in your chest or your belly.  Imagine it.  What does it look like?  Is it liquid, like hot lava?  Is it a tight ball or knot?  

Now imagine your inhaled breath coming up the right side of it.  Exhale, let the breath slide back down.  Inhale again, but this time your breath comes up the right side of it and then tips over the top just a bit.  Exhale.  Imagine your inhaled breath coming up the left side of it, soft and gentle.  Exhale.  And again, but this time tipping over the top of it. Exhale.  Now imagine your inhaled breath sliding underneath, loosening it from its grip just a bit. Exhale.

Breathe and observe for as long as you want. With each breath, it moves around, it shifts. It’s still there, but it’s not attached anymore. 

When you are done, smile. Because there is now space around it. Space that you created for it.