Empty your mind of all thoughts
Let your heart be at peace
-- Tao Te Ching Poem 16
Let it be.
Let it go.
Let it flow.
Live and let live.
Let bygones be bygones.
Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No’
(Matthew 5:37)
Simple words for a simple concept.
A Zen antidote to the human inclination for activity is:
Just don’t do something, sit there!
But we can’t. Or don’t. Or won’t….
We feel we have to DO SOMETHING.
Anything.
Why?
The rest of the Bible verse from Matthew is often omitted when people quote the verse. The whole verse is:
Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No’
anything more than this comes from evil.
Ah Ha!!
Anything beyond the simple and the clear and the direct and the honest and the sharp and well-defined word or action “comes from evil.”
I would translate ‘evil’ as ‘trouble,’ or better yet, some part of us that is not authentic; it is false and artificial.
A Course in Miracles calls it simply: ego.
The ego is idolatry; the sign of limited and separated self,
born in a body, doomed to suffer….
The ego is insane. In fear it stands beyond the Everywhere,
apart from All, in separation from the Infinite.
Our ego wants to feel separate and apart. It wants to feel….
Unique
Important.
Useful.
In charge.
Destined for greatness, through its own power, its own cunning.
Because it is insane, it is always wrong.
“Wrong and strong,” is how a work colleague used refer to someone who was ego-driven on our job.
This part of us believes that if we do something – anything – then that is better than appearing weak, or worse – ineffective and unnecessary.
In the Beatles’ song, “Let It Be,” these are referred to as “words of wisdom.”
It’s a beautiful song, not just for the melody and music but for the message it carries.
Our Higher Self is telling us to leave things alone, because when we do, our Higher Self and what that Higher Self is connected to – the vast Ocean of Wisdom that has things well in hand.
When we step back and let Spirit take over, all is well and miraculous things happen – in every moment!
The Course in Miracles says this clearly right at the start:
Miracles as such do not matter. The only thing that matters is their Source,
which is far beyond evaluation.
Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love.
And a bit farther on:
Miracles are natural.
When they do not occur something has gone wrong.
Twice on the same page: Miracles are natural!
We are naturally entitled to miracles and in fact receive them in every moment – when we are not blocking them by our thoughts, words, beliefs, and actions.
Let it be.
Let it flow.
Stop thinking and end your problems!
It is common wisdom that if you are struggling with something, the best thing to do is to take a step back from the problem, the person, the situation, and get a greater perspective.
When looking at great piece of art, it’s nice to see it up close. But then take a step back – take several steps back – and take in the whole. We see things when we see it from a larger perspective, than we do when we are narrowly focused.
Too close to the problem.
“Can’t see the forest for the trees,” is another way of describing this near-sighted (myopic) way of seeing things. We are so close to the details we can’t see the big picture.
We can’t see what’s really going on.
When we’re in the presence of someone who wants to control, to micro-manage, who can’t let things be – let people be – who they are, it’s very uncomfortable.
In the AA Big Book, one of the most oft-quoted passages is from page 417:
And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation – some fact of my life – unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake.
When I “let it be” I accept the situation or person as it is in that moment. I step back from the problem, the discomfort, the difficulty.
“Let go and let God.” This is ego-less way to a life where miracles are naturally occurring phenomena that allow everything to turn out just the way it’s supposed to.
For the good of all, according to the free will of all, so mote it be.
– ending of a Wiccan prayer.
Or as it says in the Bible,
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28
If you like, translate “love God” as “Trust the Universe.”
Let it be.
Let it go.
Let it flow.
Allow and accept.
The funny thing (profound thing) is that when I do that, I get a feeling of relief, of true power, of deep trust and deep faith and deep certainty that I am doing (not doing) the right thing and that everything will “work together for good.”
Finally, a great question to ask myself is, “Do I want to be right? Or do I want to be happy?”
Ego wants to be right.
Higher Self wants to be happy. I am happiest when I stop trying to control people, places, and things – when I even stop trying to control myself – and let the miracles flow.
Happy Sunday,
Johnny
I am available to do amazing I Ching readings and dream interpretation.
I offer individual and group Prosperity Now! sessions and general life-coaching.
Visit my website: www.johnafrederick.com
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