Scott, I haven't read a piece in a good while that I felt like I could have written it - but this one was almost spooky. I resonated with EVERY bit of it. I'm also almost finished with Letting Go by David Hawkins, read and listened to almost everything by Michael Singer - and also recently been massively challenged with letting go in my business. Thank you for this - it was exactly what I needed to read today.
Thanks Rik! I'm happy this came to you at a time of need. The books are quite helpful, but the devil is in the details in these things. We really only learn the nuances when we begin to apply the material and see how life responds
This is a great post Scott. I remember reading Hawkins' "Letting Go" a couple of years back, and whilst I understood the notion (and was mildly annoyed by his constant use of the passive tense), your post has given me the kick to re-read it with new eyes and new experiences. I now look back and realise what a powerful idea this is. Similar to you, I recently experienced a somewhat "last resort", but genuine, Capital L Letting Go moment, and it really did bring life all back into perspective.
Thanks man. I find that I often revisit those type of books and it's like "ohhhh, now I see." I think David's work very much has layers of depth that continue to come online as I go deeper.
I appreciate you sharing your experience and glad things are in a good spot. Thanks for the support!
Well done. This is dead right. Spot on. Iām almost 13 years sober. In AA we say ālet go and let Godā and (my personal favorite) ātake the actions and let go of the results.ā Itās been my own experience in life that when I try to get something it often evades my grasp, but when I let go and āturn it over to the Universeā guess what: Things shift in my favor. This is true of sexual/romantic relationships, my writing career, work, etc. Itās just The Way It Is. Letting go can be very painful...but also powerful. My father died on June 2nd after a two year battle with cancer. Letting him go was hard. But it was beautiful, too.
Thanks Michael! I love the AA quote so much! Interestingly enough Hawkins cites them quite frequently as a wildly successful organization for creating lasting change.
I appreciate you sharing you experience here and all the support
"Letting go" with the L or non doership is the supreme state of surrender. "Of myself I can do nothing but through me the father does all things". The embodiment of this realisation could be said to be the very path itself. Attempting to create "our own" reality as a so called spiritual person is very different to God realisation. "Seek first the kingdom then all else is added unto thee". Most of us are only drawn to the "added unto thee" bit. The reality of the "Seeking first the kingdom" is far too painful.
In truth until we seek to heal every obstacle of perception that we have ever been separate from God much time and effort can indeed be wasted. The process is the process and cannot really be avoided. What really gets you is when you finally realise that what you are seeking is in fact the very power you are using to seek.
Thanks Hassan. Everything you say here I know to be true. You seem to be ahead of me on your understanding and experience. I am grateful to be growing in my embodiment of these understandings in my own timing.
"What really gets you is when you finally realise that what you are seeking is in fact the very power you are using to seek." - my interpretation of this is the realization of the perfect orchestration that is our path you eventually see you created. Feel free to elaborate if I am off here
This is a great point Hassan. Seeking the kingdom, that which is deep inside, requires courage (which is something my most recent post is about). It hurts to see what is there and takes great effort to heal, but it is only from this place that we can truly surrender. It is a lifetime(s) of work!
I've thought a lot about this and it is true that it is difficult...like why can't we just exist as a ball of love from the get go. What I believe though is that these experiences are part of the majesty of the painting. To love deeper and have empathy for all, it kind of seems like a requisite to experience the other polarity...at least that's my current story
Yes that resonates for me. Allows us to have fellow feeling, and to learn things that we maybe couldn't learn in any other way. The Quaker Thomas Kelly talks about spiritual maturity leading to both deeper empathy/suffering and a deeper connection with the divine at the same time - up/down - feels relevant too. And, it still sucks sometimes š
I recently was listening to the teacher Rob Bell talk about this very thing and he said one reason is it would be very boring, although he explained it much better than that! As you said Scott, it's the colorful layers of polarity that make us human, at least at this time in history.
Great stuff man - rare that I see people playing life at this level, and fewer talking about it. It's right there out on the edge that the co-creative dance with the universe becomes truly exhilarating. You don't really get what it means to have faith until you're in a situation that REQUIRES it.
Thanks man! I was excited to click into your profile and see someone at the intersection of entrepreneurship and spirituality.
The journey is the most exhilarating one there is. The further you go, the more magic and understanding. Grateful to be on the path and appreciate your support!!!
Thank you for this great article Scott. I recently wrote about courage in our everyday life. This type of self-examination about our attachments and allowing surrender initially takes great strength and trust. Once we have practiced it about a million time (I'm hoping for less!) it will hopefully no longer take that level of courage to Let Go, although we will never lack for opportunities to get better at it.
A recent tool I have found to be helpful is to visualize the atoms in the space between my eyes. I've found it is easier for me to access the Gap and intellectually recognize, in the moment, that I am a walking collection of molecules surrounded mostly by space therefore everything can easily go right through me as it comes from Source. This seems to help me to surrender better than I would otherwise as both my brain and my heart can get on board quickly.
Thanks for sharing your experience Donna! That is a really interesting technique. It reminds of Michael Singer talking about how we are a bag of meat traveling through space on a rock like a spec of dust. Def adjective but seems like both mental tableaus help put things into perspective
Great post, Scott. I can relate so much. As you said, we canāt trick ourselves into Letting go with capital L. The life will shows us that it was a mere intellectual trick we played with ourselves.
Iāve learned a lot during my Vipassana retreats. The challenge Iāve found is that itās difficult to remind ourselves the power of it even after we have managed it once. Usually we have to hit the bottom to get reminded.
Do you keep any practice alive that helps with that in your daily routine?
I do. I keep a note on my phone and write down every time I get triggered more or less practicing Karma Yoga. You have to have the awareness to see it, but I then sit with the underlying pattern or belief that caused the triggering each day in my meditation in this format: https://scottbritton.substack.com/p/how-to-release-and-transform-the
Eventually, a lot of the old habits eventually die out and some big shifts can happen if you keep at it
I/We call this process "Making Everything Equal", and it is a process that I employ regularly.
I find that when I'm pushing energy for an outcome, I'm not really in the flow. Once I make everything equal and/or "throw everything up into the air", I am then in a better position to recognize the flow that my Subjective is leading with that will bring me what I want. Even when it's not the "way" I think I want it.
Yes - for me, making everything equal helps me accept what is. Then I can see what my new choices, inspirations, ideas might be while still making my intent primary.
It opens the door to b things I couldn't see before if I was hanging onto control.
"I believe in pursuing that which makes us feel alive earnestly, but increasingly being okay with what unfolds." Well and simply said. As you so well describe, the process of actually inhabiting both of these frames is no easy task. Running a business is such an incredible crucible for work on self. Most people come from thinking that being dedicated to the success of their business is a good reason to care about spirituality, to practice "letting go," reduce stress and such. In reality if you're dedicated to spirituality that is a good reason to run a business, because it puts the attachments front and center fast, and actually produces sufficient heat and stress for a potentially transformational result. This is a post I wrote several months ago that has many similarities to your letting go story if you're interested. https://couragewriter.substack.com/p/are-you-your-last-bully
Thanks for the kind words Rick! I agree with what you've described here. After awhile, it became very clear my business was there in service of my awakening vs. my spirituality in service of my business. Learning how to balance both is a constant understanding process. Excited to read your post. I feel like this is an underdiscussed topic
Scott, I haven't read a piece in a good while that I felt like I could have written it - but this one was almost spooky. I resonated with EVERY bit of it. I'm also almost finished with Letting Go by David Hawkins, read and listened to almost everything by Michael Singer - and also recently been massively challenged with letting go in my business. Thank you for this - it was exactly what I needed to read today.
Thanks Rik! I'm happy this came to you at a time of need. The books are quite helpful, but the devil is in the details in these things. We really only learn the nuances when we begin to apply the material and see how life responds
This is a great post Scott. I remember reading Hawkins' "Letting Go" a couple of years back, and whilst I understood the notion (and was mildly annoyed by his constant use of the passive tense), your post has given me the kick to re-read it with new eyes and new experiences. I now look back and realise what a powerful idea this is. Similar to you, I recently experienced a somewhat "last resort", but genuine, Capital L Letting Go moment, and it really did bring life all back into perspective.
Thanks and keep up the great posts.
Thanks man. I find that I often revisit those type of books and it's like "ohhhh, now I see." I think David's work very much has layers of depth that continue to come online as I go deeper.
I appreciate you sharing your experience and glad things are in a good spot. Thanks for the support!
Scott, What is is for a reason. D
Life does a great job reminding me of this...over and over again : )
Well done. This is dead right. Spot on. Iām almost 13 years sober. In AA we say ālet go and let Godā and (my personal favorite) ātake the actions and let go of the results.ā Itās been my own experience in life that when I try to get something it often evades my grasp, but when I let go and āturn it over to the Universeā guess what: Things shift in my favor. This is true of sexual/romantic relationships, my writing career, work, etc. Itās just The Way It Is. Letting go can be very painful...but also powerful. My father died on June 2nd after a two year battle with cancer. Letting him go was hard. But it was beautiful, too.
Michael Mohr
āSincere American Writingā
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
Thanks Michael! I love the AA quote so much! Interestingly enough Hawkins cites them quite frequently as a wildly successful organization for creating lasting change.
I appreciate you sharing you experience here and all the support
Nicely written and thank you for sharing.
"Letting go" with the L or non doership is the supreme state of surrender. "Of myself I can do nothing but through me the father does all things". The embodiment of this realisation could be said to be the very path itself. Attempting to create "our own" reality as a so called spiritual person is very different to God realisation. "Seek first the kingdom then all else is added unto thee". Most of us are only drawn to the "added unto thee" bit. The reality of the "Seeking first the kingdom" is far too painful.
In truth until we seek to heal every obstacle of perception that we have ever been separate from God much time and effort can indeed be wasted. The process is the process and cannot really be avoided. What really gets you is when you finally realise that what you are seeking is in fact the very power you are using to seek.
Peace be unto you always
Thanks Hassan. Everything you say here I know to be true. You seem to be ahead of me on your understanding and experience. I am grateful to be growing in my embodiment of these understandings in my own timing.
"What really gets you is when you finally realise that what you are seeking is in fact the very power you are using to seek." - my interpretation of this is the realization of the perfect orchestration that is our path you eventually see you created. Feel free to elaborate if I am off here
This is a great point Hassan. Seeking the kingdom, that which is deep inside, requires courage (which is something my most recent post is about). It hurts to see what is there and takes great effort to heal, but it is only from this place that we can truly surrender. It is a lifetime(s) of work!
Great piece Scott. I hate that we often need to be 'brought to our knees' before we can let go... (& will reply to your email soon) šš»
I've thought a lot about this and it is true that it is difficult...like why can't we just exist as a ball of love from the get go. What I believe though is that these experiences are part of the majesty of the painting. To love deeper and have empathy for all, it kind of seems like a requisite to experience the other polarity...at least that's my current story
Yes that resonates for me. Allows us to have fellow feeling, and to learn things that we maybe couldn't learn in any other way. The Quaker Thomas Kelly talks about spiritual maturity leading to both deeper empathy/suffering and a deeper connection with the divine at the same time - up/down - feels relevant too. And, it still sucks sometimes š
I recently was listening to the teacher Rob Bell talk about this very thing and he said one reason is it would be very boring, although he explained it much better than that! As you said Scott, it's the colorful layers of polarity that make us human, at least at this time in history.
Great stuff man - rare that I see people playing life at this level, and fewer talking about it. It's right there out on the edge that the co-creative dance with the universe becomes truly exhilarating. You don't really get what it means to have faith until you're in a situation that REQUIRES it.
Thanks man! I was excited to click into your profile and see someone at the intersection of entrepreneurship and spirituality.
The journey is the most exhilarating one there is. The further you go, the more magic and understanding. Grateful to be on the path and appreciate your support!!!
Similar thoughts!
https://ranas9.substack.com/p/rumi
https://ranas9.substack.com/p/rumi-on-language
Nice!
Thank you for this great article Scott. I recently wrote about courage in our everyday life. This type of self-examination about our attachments and allowing surrender initially takes great strength and trust. Once we have practiced it about a million time (I'm hoping for less!) it will hopefully no longer take that level of courage to Let Go, although we will never lack for opportunities to get better at it.
A recent tool I have found to be helpful is to visualize the atoms in the space between my eyes. I've found it is easier for me to access the Gap and intellectually recognize, in the moment, that I am a walking collection of molecules surrounded mostly by space therefore everything can easily go right through me as it comes from Source. This seems to help me to surrender better than I would otherwise as both my brain and my heart can get on board quickly.
Thanks for sharing your experience Donna! That is a really interesting technique. It reminds of Michael Singer talking about how we are a bag of meat traveling through space on a rock like a spec of dust. Def adjective but seems like both mental tableaus help put things into perspective
Great post, Scott. I can relate so much. As you said, we canāt trick ourselves into Letting go with capital L. The life will shows us that it was a mere intellectual trick we played with ourselves.
Iāve learned a lot during my Vipassana retreats. The challenge Iāve found is that itās difficult to remind ourselves the power of it even after we have managed it once. Usually we have to hit the bottom to get reminded.
Do you keep any practice alive that helps with that in your daily routine?
I do. I keep a note on my phone and write down every time I get triggered more or less practicing Karma Yoga. You have to have the awareness to see it, but I then sit with the underlying pattern or belief that caused the triggering each day in my meditation in this format: https://scottbritton.substack.com/p/how-to-release-and-transform-the
Eventually, a lot of the old habits eventually die out and some big shifts can happen if you keep at it
Thanks for sharing, Scott.
Nicely written!
I/We call this process "Making Everything Equal", and it is a process that I employ regularly.
I find that when I'm pushing energy for an outcome, I'm not really in the flow. Once I make everything equal and/or "throw everything up into the air", I am then in a better position to recognize the flow that my Subjective is leading with that will bring me what I want. Even when it's not the "way" I think I want it.
Thanks Phillip! That is a very cool way of conceptualizing it.
Yes - for me, making everything equal helps me accept what is. Then I can see what my new choices, inspirations, ideas might be while still making my intent primary.
It opens the door to b things I couldn't see before if I was hanging onto control.
This was a great read. It reminded me of this quote: āDo you want to know what my secret is? I donāt mind what happens.ā -J. Krishnamurti
A timeless story/quote. Thanks for you support!
Letting go is a flux and in take of new energy like the process of breathing new air by letting go of the old air āš¾
Powerful metaphor that I haven't heard before. Thanks for sharing!!
And thank you for the inspiration brother šš¾ā¤ļø
"I believe in pursuing that which makes us feel alive earnestly, but increasingly being okay with what unfolds." Well and simply said. As you so well describe, the process of actually inhabiting both of these frames is no easy task. Running a business is such an incredible crucible for work on self. Most people come from thinking that being dedicated to the success of their business is a good reason to care about spirituality, to practice "letting go," reduce stress and such. In reality if you're dedicated to spirituality that is a good reason to run a business, because it puts the attachments front and center fast, and actually produces sufficient heat and stress for a potentially transformational result. This is a post I wrote several months ago that has many similarities to your letting go story if you're interested. https://couragewriter.substack.com/p/are-you-your-last-bully
Thanks for the kind words Rick! I agree with what you've described here. After awhile, it became very clear my business was there in service of my awakening vs. my spirituality in service of my business. Learning how to balance both is a constant understanding process. Excited to read your post. I feel like this is an underdiscussed topic