Letting Go of Control

Contributor: Michelle Smeby

There are times in our lives where we are sure that we have the best answer for resolving a problem, and we are positive that we know what the best result is for ourselves or for others. When we are so mentally and emotionally focused on the problem, our ego is trying to control a situation that it feels is out of control, or for which it feels it knows the “right” or “best” solution. In this situation, it is all about ego and pride.

Gautama Buddha taught that there are four noble truths: Dukkha (suffering, imperfection, emptiness), Samudaya (the arising or origin of dukkha; understanding how dukkha comes to be), Nirodha (the cessation of dukkha, or the elimination of thirst (striving)), and Magga (the way leading to the cessation of dukkha, or finding the middle path to calm, insight, enlightenment, Nirvana).

An alternate way of explaining what Buddha taught is that the way to enlightenment is through detachment from the outcome of a situation. By letting go and trusting in God to resolve the situation, and by focusing inward on our inner being and on love, we release the control. In this way, we overcome the ego and become the Buddha, the enlightened one. In this state of trust and inner reflection, there is no duality – no right or wrong – only love. We are one with the Universe.

Our inner strength is much stronger than the external, ego control, because it comes from the inner depth of knowingness, peace, and freedom. By letting this power and love shine forth, the outcome is always perfect.

Detaching from the outcome and desire for the future is also a letting go of control of the ego. By focusing inward, and releasing ourselves from the Western cause/effect, action/reaction, wrong/right, yes/no, light/dark, and by truly becoming one with the Divine Love, we automatically impact the world around us in a positive way.

Teach and lead by the example of love and compassion, and let go of the worries about the future. Stress raises the amount of adrenaline and corticosterone in our bodies, which increase our heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure. As stress continues over time, it can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and alterations in the immune system which can lead to other diseases. On the other hand, peace, harmony, and love heal us in body, mind, emotion, and soul.

We must keep in mind that letting go of the ego and control is a process. We must let go of impatience (which is a form of control) to “see results today, feel different today, be healed today.” We must trust that God knows what is for our best and highest good and allow the truth to shine on its own, while detaching from the outcome.

For consideration:

By being our own Divine selves (who we truly are), shining through here and now, we are accomplishing God’s Divine Plan on Earth. Everything external to us will shift, if it be God’s Will, in exactly the right God-directed time and place!

This means that we must trust in the truth, the love, and the process, and take the time to listen to our inner knowingness.

Most of all, we must release our negative, impatient, emotional patterns. We must forgive ourselves and not dwell if we stray temporarily from our centers. Inner focus, peace, and knowingness is a learned condition. We must be gentle with ourselves while our hearts, minds, bodies, and emotions adjust to their new, loving patterns!

And most of all, we must never give up!