Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed by stress and anxiety? Do you find yourself constantly searching for ways to calm your mind and find peace? Well, you’re not alone.

In today’s super fast-paced world, many of us struggle with these issues daily. But what if I told you there’s a simple technique that could help you break free from this cycle?

Enter the ‘Letting Go‘ technique, a powerful method developed by Dr. David R. Hawkins that’s been helping people find inner calm for years.

What is the ‘Letting Go’ Technique?

The ‘Letting Go’ technique is a straightforward yet powerful approach to dealing with negative emotions and stress. At its core, it’s about accepting and releasing our feelings rather than fighting against them. This might sound counterintuitive, especially if you’re used to trying to control or suppress your emotions. But that’s exactly what makes this method so effective.

Dr. Hawkins, a renowned psychiatrist and spiritual teacher, introduced this concept in his book “Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender.” He believed that our attempts to resist negative emotions actually give them more power over us. Instead, he proposed a different approach: fully experiencing and then releasing these feelings.

letting go by David Hawkins

How Does It Work?

The ‘Letting Go’ technique involves a few simple steps:

  1. Awareness: Recognize the emotion you’re feeling without judging it.
  2. Acceptance: Allow yourself to fully experience the emotion.
  3. Release: Choose to let go of the emotion, knowing that you don’t need to hold onto it.

It sounds simple, right? That’s because it is. But don’t let its simplicity fool you – this technique can be incredibly powerful when practiced consistently.

Why is ‘Letting Go’ Effective?

You might be wondering, “How can simply ‘letting go’ of my emotions help me feel better?” Well, there are a few reasons why this technique is so effective:

  1. It stops the struggle: When we fight against our emotions, we create more tension and stress. By accepting our feelings, we stop this internal battle.
  2. It reduces emotional charge: Fully experiencing an emotion often reduces its intensity. It’s like letting air out of a balloon – the pressure decreases.
  3. It promotes emotional freedom: Over time, this practice can help us become less reactive to our emotions, giving us more control over our responses.
  4. It encourages mindfulness: The technique naturally brings us into the present moment, which is a key aspect of mindfulness practice.

Practical Tips for Practicing ‘Letting Go’

Now that you understand the basics, let’s look at some practical ways to incorporate this technique into your daily life:

  1. Start small: Begin with minor irritations before tackling bigger issues. This helps you get comfortable with the process.
  2. Use physical cues: When you’re ready to release an emotion, you might find it helpful to use a physical gesture, like opening your hands or taking a deep breath.
  3. Practice regularly: Like any skill, ‘Letting Go’ becomes easier with practice. Try to use it daily, even with small frustrations.
  4. Be patient: Remember, this is a process. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Keep at it!
  5. Combine with other techniques: ‘Letting Go’ can work well alongside other stress-reduction methods like meditation or deep breathing.

Real-Life Applications

To help you understand how to apply this technique in your daily life, let’s look at a few scenarios:

Scenario 1: Work Stress

Imagine you’ve just received a challenging assignment at work. You feel your anxiety rising as you think about all the work ahead. Here’s how you might apply the ‘Letting Go’ technique:

  1. Awareness: “I’m feeling anxious about this assignment.”
  2. Acceptance: Allow yourself to fully feel the anxiety without trying to push it away.
  3. Release: Take a deep breath and choose to let go of the anxiety, knowing it’s not serving you.

Scenario 2: Relationship Conflict

You’ve had an argument with your partner and you’re feeling angry and hurt. Here’s how you might use ‘Letting Go’:

  1. Awareness: “I’m feeling angry and hurt right now.”
  2. Acceptance: Allow yourself to experience these emotions fully.
  3. Release: Visualize the anger and hurt flowing out of you as you choose to let them go.
letting go by david hawkins emotional rankings

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

While the ‘Letting Go’ technique is simple in theory, you might encounter some challenges as you start to practice. Here are a few common ones and how to address them:

  1. “I can’t stop thinking about the situation”: Remember, the goal isn’t to stop thinking about the situation, but to release the emotional charge associated with it. Focus on letting go of the feeling, not the thought.
  2. “I feel like I’m suppressing my emotions”: ‘Letting Go’ is actually the opposite of suppression. You’re fully experiencing the emotion before choosing to release it. If you feel like you’re suppressing, try spending more time in the ‘acceptance’ phase.
  3. “It’s not working fast enough”: Remember, this is a practice. It takes time to see results. Be patient with yourself and keep at it. Even small improvements are progress.

The Science Behind ‘Letting Go’

While Dr. Hawkins’ approach is rooted in spiritual and psychological principles, modern science is beginning to catch up. Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural connections, plays a crucial role here. When we practice ‘Letting Go’, we’re essentially rewiring our brain’s response to stress and negative emotions.

Studies have shown that mindfulness practices, which share similarities with the ‘Letting Go’ technique, can reduce activity in the amygdala, the brain’s fear center. This leads to decreased stress and anxiety over time.

Integrating ‘Letting Go’ into Your Daily Routine

To get the most out of this technique, try to make it a regular part of your day. Here are some suggestions:

  1. Morning practice: Start your day by letting go of any lingering stress or anxiety from the previous day.
  2. Commute companion: Use your commute time to practice ‘Letting Go’ of any work-related stress.
  3. Bedtime ritual: End your day by releasing any negative emotions you’ve accumulated.
  4. Stress response: Whenever you feel stressed or anxious, take a moment to practice the technique.

Remember, the more you practice, the more natural and effective this technique will become.

Conclusion

The ‘Letting Go’ technique offers a simple yet powerful way to manage stress and anxiety. By allowing ourselves to fully experience our emotions without judgment, and then consciously choosing to release them, we can find greater peace and emotional freedom.

As with any new skill, it takes time and practice to master. But with patience and persistence, you may find that this technique becomes an invaluable tool in your emotional wellness toolkit. So why not give it a try? Your ticket to inner peace might just be a ‘let go’ away.