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Letting Go

summary ofLetting GoBook by David R. Hawkins, MD, PhD

12 min
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You’ll learn

  • The reasons we deny our emotions instead of accepting them
  • How to handle negative thoughts
  • To take responsibility for our actions
  • Ways to gain a positive mindset

first KEY POINT

The pressure of suppressed feelings makes it difficult to live a happy and successful life

When we fail to show how we feel, we experience a myriad of limiting emotions like mood swings, irritability, frustration, and depletion.Repressing an emotion only gives temporary respite, and its disadvantages overwhelm its advantages. We feel unnecessary guilt and fear over what can be dealt with if we develop the right mindset. The trouble with repressed feelings is that they can stay hidden for a long time and destroy us. If we are not careful, we’ll fail to identify them.The mind automatically keeps our feelings repressed because we’ve conditioned them. Denial and projection are some of the mechanisms used by the mind to keep our feelings repressed. The former causes significant emotional blockages, often followed by the latter. Instead of accepting and accessing our emotions, we take everything out on our society and those around us, which leads us to place unwanted blame on people, things, or places.

To deny positive emotions and embrace negative feelings will do us no good. Unless we let go, we’ll end up clinging to unnecessary burdens.

This bite-sized summary highlights the importance of adopting a positive mindset and how it helps set the pace for a beautiful journey to fulfillment. Follow it to discuss the best ways to effect positive changes.

second KEY POINT

Sometimes, our thoughts scare us because they contain a massive amount of negativity

Every day of our lives, we burden ourselves with a substantial psychological load of accumulated and compressed negative emotions, attitudes, and beliefs. Many of our ailments and mental impairments may be traced back to our tendency to repress unpleasant emotions. We feel helpless against it, yet we seek to escape it in many ways. We spend most of our lives trying to avoid and run away from these suppressed emotions. Negativity reduces our self-esteem and belittles us from the inside and outside.We avoid analyzing our inner feelings out of worry that we may be unable to handle the intensity of our emotions. Without the courage to confront these emotions, they will build up until we welcome death as a release from our suffering.Our thinking undergoes frustrating negative transformations under the weight of accumulated pressure. A single feeling can create thousands of thoughts. However, negative thoughts would vanish if we were able to let go of whatever ache is hiding at the core of our feelings.To get rid of negativity, we must put ourselves in a surrendered state. It implies letting go of any lingering thoughts of negativity in a certain area so that new ideas may flow freely.When dealing with unfavorable emotions, we often resort to one of three negative coping mechanisms: suppression, expression, or escape.• Suppression is widespread in our lives because it dictates how we push feelings down and aside.
• Expression. Our feelings are made known and stated in our body language. Expressing negative feelings provides enough room to release the inner pressure so that the remainder can be suppressed.
• Escape helps us avoid our feelings through diversion. We find solace in temporary distractions and attach our happiness to someone or something.

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first KEY POINT

Start small: try to let go of little things rather than trying to overcome the whole problem at once

second KEY POINT

An easy way to overcome anger is to acknowledge it and then tame it

third KEY POINT

Fear lowers our confidence, so we need the courage to accept negativity and overcome it

fourth KEY POINT

When we experience inner peace, we are more likely to gain mental strength

fifth KEY POINT

Conclusion

About the author

David R. Hawkins was a distinguished expert in psychiatry and spirituality. He combined scientific and psychic approaches to study human behavior. His Map of Consciousness has become a valuable tool for the field.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender about?

Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender, written by David R. Hawkins, explores how to release negative emotions and achieve inner peace. The book outlines techniques for surrendering control and embracing a state of acceptance, which fosters personal transformation and spiritual growth.

What are the key takeaways from Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender?

Key takeaways include the importance of letting go of attachments, understanding emotions as energy, and adopting a mindset of surrender to enhance one’s quality of life. Hawkins emphasizes that true freedom comes from relinquishing our need for control and allowing life to unfold naturally.

Is Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender worth reading?

Yes, Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender is worth reading for anyone seeking to improve their emotional well-being and spiritual understanding. Its practical guidance and profound insights can significantly impact how readers deal with challenges and relationships.

How many pages is Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender and when was it published?

Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender is typically about 184 pages long and was first published in 2012. This concise format makes it accessible for readers looking to quickly gain valuable insights into the practice of surrender.

How does Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender relate to personal growth?

Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender is closely tied to personal growth as it teaches readers how to overcome emotional obstacles and limiting beliefs. By practicing surrender, individuals can open themselves to new possibilities and deepen their self-awareness, which is essential for holistic development.