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I really hope… But it could end up… If it doesn’t work out… 
I’m just worried that… But what if… I hope I’ll be able to… It could really…

Holding On

Each of the phrases expresses future-oriented thinking. Sometimes these words come from fear. Other times they come from worry. And almost always, they show an attachment to outcome. We often hold on to a perspective, an idea, or a way we want things to be.

When we hold on too tightly, signs of dis-ease are wont to present themselves. Symptoms like anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, impulsiveness, body aches, and shallow breathing can arise. These experiences compromise our foundations and take us off our paths.

Letting Go

When I realize I am becoming too attached to a particular outcome—i.e., that something will or will not happen in my future—I rely on two strategies to let go of these thoughts and feelings.

Physically letting go. I find a comfortable seat, close my eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Then, continuing to breathe, I begin to scan my body and bring my awareness to all the parts that are touching the furniture.

As I breathe, I imagine my body melting into the furniture. Each breath allows me to melt even more. As I melt, I feel and trust that the furniture is fully supporting me, allowing me to let go of all tensions in my back, legs, arms, neck, and jaw.

Mentally letting go. As my body lets go, I focus on a mantra that reminds me that the universe has my back, and that embedded in all experiences and all encounters is a lesson. I like to focus on “All encounters are holy encounters” from A Course in Miracles, but any phrase conveying this meaning will work.

Some related mantras could be: All experiences are sacred; Every encounter contains a lesson; or, I have something to gain from every experience. As I continue to breathe, I keep focusing on the mantras. This allows me to let go of future-oriented thoughts and begin to trust that whatever happens is of sacred use to me in some way. There is always a lesson, if we are willing to recognize it.

Seeing Anew

Incorporating these mantras into my daily life has done wonders. If we train ourselves to look for deeper, more spiritual lessons in our daily experiences, we become much less likely to attach ourselves to particular outcomes and we allow ourselves to remain in the present moment.

Creating a reminder or an alarm on your phone bearing this mantra is one way to incorporate this way of seeing into your daily life. At seemingly random times during the day, the mantra will appear to you, causing you to stop and consider how it might apply to something you are thinking, experiencing, or encountering at that very moment. You can post the phrase on your wall, turn it into your desktop image, or write it on your mirror.

You will begin not only to take notice of instances of future-oriented thinking and attachment to outcome, you will also become more aware of the lessons in your everyday life, and come to trust that they are beneficial to your evolution.

Do you ever have difficulty remaining unattached to outcome? What do you do to let go and get back into the present moment?

Let us know in the comments below!

Much light,

Tim