Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee
President, Heart Care Foundation of India
Once somebody asked Lord Buddha, “after meditating for years, I have not been able to gain anything.” Then Lord Buddha asked, “Did you lose anything?” and the disciple said, “yes, I lost my anger, desires, expectations and ego.” Buddha smiled and said, “That is what your gain is by meditating.”
To be happy, one must learn to let go the following:
1. One should let go the desires. In Amarnath Ki Yatra, Lord Shiva firstly let go the Bull which represents the sexual desires. In Hanuman ki Lanka yatra, desires are represented by Samhiki which was a creature who used to catch birds by their shadow. Hanuman killed the desires. So, it is possible to kill your desires.
Again in Ramayana, desires are linked to Rajsic mind and in mythology, Meghnath represents the Rajsic mind. Meghnath was killed by Lakshman, the determined mind.
Therefore, one should let go the desires by killing them by focused concentration of the mind on the desires.
2. Let go your expectations. In Amarnath Ki Yatra, the second thing which Lord Shiva discarded is moon which in mythology is symbolized by letting go of expectations.
3. Let go your ego. In mythology, ego represents Kansa in Krishna era and Ravana in Rama era. Both were killed by Krishna and Rama respectively who symbolized the consciousness. Ego can never be killed by the mind and only can be killed by the consciousness (conscious based decisions).
Ego is also represented by Sheshnaag and we have Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu both having a Sheshnaag each with a mouth downwards indicating the importance of controlling one’s ego.
One should let go his or her ego but also remember never to hurt somebody’s ego. Hurting somebody’s ego in terms of allegations of sexual misconduct, financial corruption or abusing one’s caste is never forgotten and carries serious implications.
In Hanuman Ki Lanka Yatra, ego is represented by Sursa and Hanuman managed her by humility and not by counter ego. In Naag Panchami also, we worship Naag the ego by folded hands and by offering milk.
4. Let go your inaction. One should learn to live in the present. In Hanuman Ki Lanka Yatra, Hanuman first meetsMenakMountain which indicates destination to rest. One should never do that and willfully divert his or her mind towards action.
5. Let go your attachments. Let go your attachments to your close relations and the worldly desires. In Amarnath Ki Yatra, Lord Shiva first leaves Bully desires, moon (expectations), sheshnaag (ego) and then he gives up Ganesha and worldly desires (five elements). In mythology, this is practiced as detached attachment and in Bhagavad Gita is equated to Lotus. In Islam, detached attachment is practiced in the form of Bakra Eid.
6. Let go your habit of criticizing, complaining and condemning people: One should always practice non-violent communication and speak which is truth, necessary and kind. One should not criticize, condemn or complain about people, situation and events.
Wayne Dyer: The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you do not know anything about.
Most of us often condemn people without knowing their capabilities and label them as unmatchable to us. One should also let go habit of gossiping as it is a form of violent communication.
7. Let go your habit of blaming others – One should learn to take the responsibilities and people believe in team work. Good leader is the one who learns to be responsible in life.
8. Let go your habit of need to be always right – It is a form of ego. Remember in arguments either you can win arguments or relationships. One should always try to win relationship and not arguments.
9. Let go your need to control situation, event and people – Learn to accept people as they are. The world is won by those who let this habit go.
10. Let go your habit and need to impress others – This is also a type of ego where we always want appreciation.
11. Give up your belief that you cannot do it – Remember ‘IMPOSSIBLE’ is ‘I M POSSIBLE’. A belief is not an idea held by the mind but it is a mind that holds the mind. (Elli Roselle).
12. Give up your resistance to change – Remember change is the only constant which will happen and always welcome it. Joseph Campbell once said that one should follow one’s bliss and will open doors to your where there are only walls.
13. Let go your fear and let go all negative thoughts. Remember, the mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. It becomes very destructive if used badly. (Eckhant Tolle).
14. Let go your habit of excuses
15. Let go being in the past.
