Let Go and Be Free.
The greatest gift you can give to yourself is the power and freedom of having zero expectations. Embrace the art of letting go and watch how it transforms your life.
There’s a Zen teaching that says, “Knowledge is learning something every day; wisdom is letting something go every day.” On the surface, this wisdom feels calming, even obvious. But in practice, it’s one of the hardest lessons to embody. It reveals a deep and uncomfortable truth: Most of us are trapped in prisons of our own making, built by expectations we’re either unable or unwilling to release.
Expectations—whether they stem from our relationships, careers, or personal goals—often operate like invisible chains. They subtly tie our happiness to future outcomes, undermining our ability to appreciate the present. Worse yet, when expectations are underlined by the fear of losing what we have or not getting what we want, we find ourselves in a cycle of constant craving and aversion. This state of mind is inherently exhausting, pulling us further away from peace and joy.
Here’s the reality: life is impermanent. Everything, no matter how precious, is subject to change. Clinging to outcomes or attaching ourselves to how things should unfold is a futile battle against this universal truth. The more we fight it, the more we suffer. But when we release expectations, we create space—space for whatever comes to arise and pass without disrupting our peace or purpose.
This isn’t about fostering indifference. Letting go doesn’t mean we stop caring; it means we stop clinging. It’s about cultivating a resilience and openness that allow us to navigate life’s ups and downs with grace. This practice is at the very heart of yoga.
In every sun salutation, every long-held posture, every deep stretch, yogis learn to let go of the attachment to outcomes. We don’t strive for perfection or judge the results of our efforts. Instead, we focus on being present, honoring the process, and embracing whatever arises. Over time, this practice builds an unshakable foundation of freedom—not freedom from effort, but freedom from the burden of expectation.
When we let go, our attention shifts. Life becomes less about what we gain or lose and more about living fully, moment by moment, regardless of circumstances. This is where true joy lives, untethered by conditions or fears.
Get on your mat this week and practice letting go. Let go of how you think a pose should look. Let go of the need for things to feel a certain way. Just show up, breathe, and make space for whatever unfolds. It’s worth it.
Metta,
Drewsome.
