I think letting go is a very important factor that contributes to our overall happiness in life. Letting go helps us free our mental space from attachments, expectations, frustration, anger, and guilt – basically, everything that stands between us and happiness.
Many people find letting go to be hard and difficult when, in reality, it’s not that tough as long as you understand how to do it and find some motivation for yourself. Letting go is there to make you feel better and eventually guide your life toward a better path.
Letting go also doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams or desires. Letting go is actually making ways for your desires.
In this post, I want to spend some time clarifying some popular misunderstandings about the concept of letting go, and yes, there will be Buddha quotes on letting go to help reinforce the knowledge and inspire you to start practice the art of letting go from today. So, let’s get started.
Buddha Quotes on Letting Go
Why do we need to letting go?
We often hear the saying: “Happiness is inside us.”
The more I experience life, the truer this statement becomes to me.
Our minds often play a role in preventing us from experiencing happiness. We spend a significant amount of time clinging to expectations, frustrations, anger, and guilt. This habit creates barriers that obstruct our path to happiness.
For example, if you forgive someone who has wronged you. It might seem like you’re doing them a favor, but in reality, you’re the one who experiences a profound sense of relief and liberation.
The act of forgiveness brings a sense of peace and calmness that resonates within you.
In this case, forgiving someone is a form of letting go. You release yourself from the negative emotions that were tying you down, and you pave the way for emotional healing and growth.
The role of “letting go” in the Law of Attraction
Another example is when you are manifesting something you really want with the Law of Attraction. Do you see that the more desperate you are with something, the more likely you will end up without having your desires? And when you simply don’t care about something that much, it seems to come into your life more easily.
And that’s why we often hear Law of Attraction coaches teach us to learn how lo let go of your desire instead of constantly obsessing over it.
But does letting go of something mean you have to force yourself to forget about it or force yourself not to want it anymore? This is a popular misunderstanding within the law of attraction communities when it comes to “letting go.”
Letting go does not mean you have to forget about your desire.
Of course, you shouldn’t forget about what you want or force yourself to not want something anymore. That’s simply you lying to yourself. Letting go is knowing that you want something, but you also know you will still be fine without it in your life.
Or, to put it another way, letting go means lowering the importance of your desires in your life. You are not obsessing over it or spending all your life constantly thinking about your desires or thinking that your life is going to be doomed if you are not getting what you want.
Yes, you keep your mind on your goal or your desires, but you won’t be obsessing over it. You live your best life, enjoying every little moment.
While waiting for your desires to manifest, you channel your energy into a positive mindset and other areas of your life. Your life is not solely about manifesting the love of your life, achieving your career goals, landing a new job, or anything else. When you let the universe do its work, you often receive your desires in the most unexpected ways.
Buddha Quotes on Letting Go
Here is my collection of Buddha quotes on letting go. Taking the time to read these inspiring quotes will enhance your understanding of the concept of letting go, and they will provide you with the motivation to approach it in the right way.
1. “You only lose what you cling to.”
2. “Let go of the past, let go of the future, and let go of the present. Crossing to the far shore of existence, with mind released everywhere, do not further undergo birth and decay.”
3. “In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.”
4. “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness.”
5. “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”
6. “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
6. “The root of suffering is attachment.”
7. “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
8.”There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.”
9. “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
10. “Let go of all ideas and images in your mind; they come and go. Do not entertain them. Just be.”
11. “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”
12. “Pain is certain, suffering is optional.”
13. “Let go of the idea that clinging to past experiences will help you create new ones.”
14. “Let go of what has passed. Let go of what may come. Let go of what is happening now. Don’t try to figure anything out. Don’t try to make anything happen. Relax, right now, and rest.”
15. “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
16. “Let go of the battle. Breathe quietly and let it be. Let your body relax and your heart soften. Open to whatever you experience without fighting.
17. “You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
18. “Let go of your story so the universe can write a new one for you.”
19. “To understand everything is to forgive everything.”
20. “Whatever is not yours, let go of it. Your letting go of it will be for your long-term happiness and benefit.”
21. “The harder you try to hold onto something, the more it wants to get away. You can’t control a bird by clutching it. Instead, you keep it by gently holding it.”
22. “Letting go isn’t about forgetting; it’s about learning and moving on.”
23. “Letting go is the path to freedom.”
24. “Letting go is not getting rid of the energy; it is releasing the attachment to it.”
25. “To let go is to release the images and emotions, the grudges and fears, the clingings and disappointments of the past that bind our spirit.”
A few thoughts on “letting go” in Buddha teachings
In Buddha teachings, letting go is closely tied to the concept of liberation from suffering.
Attachment and Suffering
Buddha identified attachment as one of the root causes of suffering. He taught that our attachments to desires, possessions, and even our own selves create suffering and hinder us from attaining true happiness. To find happiness, you must grasp the lesson of letting go.
Letting go doesn’t mean avoiding or hating things; it means cultivating a state of non-attachment. Buddha taught that you can still engage with the world but without being bound by cravings and aversions.
You should watch this video about Thich Nhat Hanh responding to a question of: “How do I stay in the present moment when it feels unbearable?” during a May 2014 retreat at Plum Village.
Mindfulness and Awareness
Letting go involves becoming aware of our thoughts, emotions, and attachments without judgment.
A popular practice in Buddhism is meditation. Meditation doesn’t require difficult poses or sitting in the lotus position for hours. In fact, anyone can practice meditation in everyday life and reap its benefits.
The essence of meditation is simply to sit back and observe your thoughts and feelings as they arise and dissipate, without getting entangled in them.
The insight gained from meditation is that you are not defined by your thoughts or emotions; instead, you’re the observer of these mental processes from a place beyond the ego. The skill to detach yourself from typical thoughts and emotions aids in expanding your awareness and managing your emotions effectively.
This is a practice of letting go. Letting thoughts and emotions arise and just let it go!
Letting go creates room for compassion and kindness
Letting go is also about cultivating compassion, both for yourself and others. By releasing negative emotions and attachments, one can create space for compassion and kindness to flourish.
Imagine if your mind was a garden. When you let go of weeds (negative emotions and attachments), you create space for beautiful flowers to grow. Those flowers are compassion and kindness – for yourself and others. It’s like giving your heart a big, warm hug and extending that hug to everyone around you.
I hope the Buddha quotes on letting go have provided you with a deeper understanding of the concept of letting go.
By releasing attachments, we make room for positivity, growth, and a more joyful existence. Remember, the journey of letting go is a personal one, and as you embrace this practice, may you find the serenity and fulfillment that come with the art of releasing what no longer serves you. Feel free to share with me your opinions and experiences you have about this topic of “letting go “
Hello Lily,
As someone deeply interested in the Buddha’s teachings, I found your perspective on letting go to be incredibly enlightening.
I couldn’t agree more that letting go can pave the way for true happiness and even help us manifest our desires.
Have you ever tried combining mindfulness techniques with letting go, as the Buddha would suggest?
I believe it could be a game-changer for many. I’m curious to know what you think.
Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad to hear you found my perspective on letting go resonating with your interest in Buddha’s teachings. Combining mindfulness techniques with letting go is indeed a powerful approach in my opinion.
In my own journey, I’ve found that mindfulness helps me become more aware of my attachments and the thoughts and emotions that can hold me back.Then, the practice of letting go allows me to release those attachments and move forward with a clearer mind and a lighter heart.
I agree, this combination can be a game-changer for many, as it always did for me.