LETTING GO

Recently I read again the story of how to catch a monkey told by Ram Dass. You put a bunch of nuts in a jar with a small opening. The monkey reaches inside and grab a handful of nuts. He finds out that he cannot get his hand out through the small opening. If only he would just let go of the nuts, he could escape. But he won't. I love the graphic image of this story. If only we could let go of what is holding us down in life, be it anger, disappointment, expectation, judgment, and a slew of negative feelings. Attachment to these feelings make us unhappy.



Last week my dog Coco passed away. I was devastated. For some reason I thought she was going to live on and on with me, even though she was already over 19 year old and had gone blind and deaf. I was aware of her impending demise, I just could not let go. Fortunately I finally realized the futility of attaching to the impossible. Letting Coco go frees me from being paralyzed by the loss. I am able to detach.



Detachment does not mean to wantonly discard all feelings. It just means that we don't allow those feelings control our lives.
We are no longer enslaved by low self image, resentment, and harsh judgment and worry.

Letting go of the preconceived idea of what your yoga practice should be like can release you of worry and judgment. It lets you relax without expectation. Your body will respond positively as you become free of the bondage of tight muscles. Letting go of the handful of nuts will allow you to escape from being imprisoned in the the jar of attachments.

Be free and relax...
Namaste,
Clarie