The Body/Mind Connection (Part 2)
The Power of Letting Go
In order to move ahead into a life that we really want, we often need to let go of past versions of ourselves. This includes the parts of ourselves that hold limiting beliefs (“I’m not good enough”, “I’m too old to change”, etc.) as well as judgements about ourselves and about others (“What will others think?”).
Our mind doesn't like change and will resist it with everything it has, however it IS possible to make new neural pathways in our brains, think new thoughts, and ultimately create the life we were really meant to live.
How do we learn to let go of old thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours that no longer serve us?
The first step is to connect with your body to become more mindful of your current thoughts, beliefs and behaviours. Whenever you face a new problem to solve, your thoughts about the problem will trigger your body to immediately produce a feeling. Begin to notice all the feelings and sensations running through your body and how your body reacts and responds in any situation.
Once you’ve connected a feeling you don’t want with a thought, ask yourself: How does this thought serve me? Can I let it go? Imagine yourself letting the thought go and notice if your body feels any differently. Often there is a feeling of lightness or a feeling of being able to breathe a little easier.
To start on your inner journey of letting go, why not pick one thought or belief that you know is holding you back and experiment with letting it go. Challenge yourself to come up with proof that your thought is not true.
To help you relax and settle into the idea of letting go, here is a poem that I encourage you to read slowly and come back to often. I first heard it as an audio meditation and listen to it often so I’ve my own version for you here. I like to listen to this lying down before I go to bed at night.
If you’re listening to the audio version, find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down, close your eyes or lower your gaze, take three deep breaths and let the words seep into your soul.
She Let Go
Without a thought or a word, she let go.
She let go of fear. She let go of the judgements.
She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head.
She let go of the committee of indecision within her.
She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons. Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.
She didn’t ask anyone for advice.
She didn’t read a book on how to let go...She didn’t search the scriptures.
She just let go.
She let go of all the memories that held her back.
She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward.
She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.
She didn’t promise to let go.
She didn’t journal about it.
She didn’t write the projected date in her day-timer.
She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper.
She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope.
She just let go.
She didn’t analyse whether she should let go.
She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter.
She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment.
She didn’t call the prayer line.
She didn’t utter one word. She just let go.
No one was around when it happened.
There was no applause or congratulations.
No one thanked her or praised her.
No one noticed a thing.
Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.
There was no effort. There was no struggle.
It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad.
It was what it was, and it is just that.
In the space of letting go, she let it all be.
A small smile came over her face.
A light breeze blew through her.
And the sun and moon shone forevermore.
By Reverend Safire Rose
I’d love to hear from you so please send any comments or questions to me at sharon@sharonashtonmindfulyoga.com. Feel free to share this email with anyone else who may be interested.
Are you interested in life change & mindset coaching? If you are interested in exploring new ways to bring joy into your world and live your best life, please email me to set up a complimentary 30 minute coaching session/discovery call at sharon@sharonashtonmindulyoga.com or visit my website coaching page.
You can download your free Find Your Inner Coach Guide including a guided visualization and journal prompts here:
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"I felt at complete ease with Sharon from our first conversation. She has a wonderful, gentle but firm way that made me focus on my thoughts / feelings so I could remove / change to move forward with a completely different feeling to what felt like obstacles. It was great having regular coaching that gently kept me accountable to actioning and moving towards my goals. Sharon has vast experience in so many areas, I felt that makes her an amazing coach.”
— Michelle Carney, East Galway, Ireland
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You are also invited to join my free Facebook group The Journey Within Mindful Yoga and Life Change Community here where we can connect to share resources and short mindful yoga and meditation practices: