Cutting the Cords of Attachment: All or Nothing, The Art of Letting Go

The Art of Letting Go

Clarifying Emotional Dynamics: All or Nothing

I've always found it difficult to navigate the complexities of emotions, particularly when it comes to understanding the distinctions between:

• Excitement and Desire: The thrill of new experiences versus the longing for something more.

• Connection and Co-dependency: A healthy bond versus an unhealthy reliance on another person.

• Love and Lust: The liberation of emotional connection versus the volatile attachment of attraction.

• Freedom From and the Need for Recognition: The freedom to be unabashedly oneself versus the craving for validation from others.

  
  

These contrasts often lead me to an all-or-nothing mindset, where I struggle to find balance and clarity in my relationships and emotional experiences.

I've always felt destined to be an actor, driven by an ambition that simultaneously inspired and frustrated me. This ambition often made small matters seem overly significant and tied my self-worth to my success. In the arts, there is no straightforward path; it's a personal journey unique to each individual.

What I often confuse is detachment from results (and still do, feel like I will be forever trying to master this one) and depression. If I let go of my ambition, my need to succeed, it felt like depression to me. Depression, because I was still attached to the outcome. To the need to succeed. To the need to be driven.

The Sacred Play of Creative Expression

Embracing The Sacredness and Personal Fulfillment in Creative Expression

As I've aged and continued to walk the tightrope of depression/ detachment, I have found the need for more privacy in my work. Instead of creating for the world and others, which I honestly have to work hard not to do, for the first time, I started creating for just me. Creating just to make me happy. Not worried about where it went after, who saw it or how it was judged. Just nurture the relationship to creativity, play, artistry, and communication with that side of myself.

There's a part of me that feels like a child, around 6-8 years old. This part just wants to play, create, and share laughter with others. She doesn't care about what happens to her creations afterward; her joy is in the act of creating, not in selling the outcome.

There's a part of me that's loud, aggressive, and always ready to seize opportunities. This side thrives on helping others and leveraging talent and ideas—part entrepreneur, part producer, like my internal "Mama June", always promoting me. I have a love-hate relationship with her, driven by my fear of not making the most of life's opportunities and the possibility of failure.

If I were to decide which character I connect with the most, it would undoubtedly be the little girl. Yet, I can't ignore the strong presence of the "Mama June" figure. Mama June's energy and intensity frequently take over the scene, overshadowing my quieter, more creative nature. I yearn for a better balance—a generous space for my little girl soul to play and explore freely, without being overwhelmed by the louder voices surrounding me.

When I focus on play, creation, and joy without worrying about the outcomes, I fulfill the needs of my inner child. Listening to her makes her voice stronger, allowing my more mature side to relax. This balance enhances both my creativity and ambition.

Unlocking Emotional Depth in Patanjali Yoga Sutras with Chanting

Chanting can be a powerful way to connect with the emotional layers of the Patanjali Yoga Sutras. It’s like finding hidden treasures in the text that resonate with our feelings and experiences. When we chant, we’re not just reciting words; we’re tapping into the essence of the teachings, allowing them to flow through us and create a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Years ago, while I was initially studying the Patanjali Yoga Sutras with my yoga teacher at a workshop in New York, we practiced call and response chanting of the first chapter, Samadhi Pada. On the first day of chanting the sutras, I found myself becoming emotional with certain sutras. My teacher always mentioned that chanting in Sanskrit would impart the meaning to the chanter, even if they did not cognitively understand the words. After experiencing the same emotional response to these specific sutras for a few days, I asked her about their meanings. Her response: let go of outcome, keep practicing.

The Art of Letting Go - Andy Goldsworthy

The Core Philosophy: Keep Going, Keep Letting Go

This advice feels like the spine of this life's story that I am living. Every branch and adventure leads back to this message. Keep going, keep letting go.

Andy Goldsworthy exemplifies the art of creating and releasing, finding contentment in working with available materials to craft beauty and then letting go. If you're unfamiliar with his work, I highly recommend exploring his art and the documentary "Rivers and Tides" to experience his zen-like artistic approach.

I bring this up today because this philosophy, or way of living, stands in stark contrast to how we function in the Western world. In our society, we often prioritize results, accumulation, and rewards for our efforts. This juxtaposition can lead to significant mental strain, making it easy to feel overwhelmed. However, the sutras offer a beautiful framework for harmonizing the mind, body, and energy. They not only provide guidance on what to do but also on how to do it. By focusing on breathing, concentration, and fostering connection and kindness towards all, we can cultivate a more balanced existence. These principles are especially valuable in our ever-changing world, and I believe we could all benefit from embracing them a bit more. I know I could. Let’s keep it simple: keep going, keep letting go.

Remember to laugh, you are always on your path. Make some magic today.