Letting Go to Truly Release – Understanding It Right to Live Lightly

Letting go is not giving up

Many people misunderstand “letting go” as “giving up,” “not caring,” or “avoiding responsibility.” But in truth, letting go is not about pushing things out of our lives or ignoring our emotions.

Letting go means releasing attachments, releasing excessive expectations, and releasing what we cannot control, so our minds can be free and clear.

For example, when someone hurts us, we are allowed to feel pain and sadness. But if we hold onto that anger forever, we are imprisoning ourselves. Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting—it means choosing not to let that pain rule our minds anymore.

True release (Xả) is inner maturity

According to what we have learned from Buddhism, letting go helps the mind not to desire or be disturbed, which will open the will, help us to see things and understand the movement of the universe. From there, ideas, thoughts and knowledge will be cleared.

“Xả” means non-attachment, not letting emotions or situations drag us around. But to release, we must first see clearly what we are holding onto. Only then can we truly let go, and only then can our hearts feel light.

Xả doesn’t mean indifference—it’s the sign of a wise and mature mind that knows what to hold, what to let go, and how to live with healthy boundaries.

Why do people misunderstand letting go?

1. Because we’re wired to hold on – even to pain, because it gives us a (false) sense of control.
2. Letting go sounds weak – In a world that praises toughness, letting go can feel like failure. But it’s not weakness; it’s wisdom.
3. Misunderstanding spirituality – Some think xả means detachment from life. But true spiritual masters are fully present, compassionate, and responsible—just not enslaved by emotions or desires.

How to practice letting go?

• Observe your emotions: anger, sadness, jealousy—what are you really clinging to?
• Accept what you can’t control: other people’s thoughts, or life’s ups and downs.
• Forgive: not just others, but yourself. Forgiveness changes your future, not your past.
• Breathe deeply. Just a few mindful breaths can return you to clarity.

Conclusion

Letting go isn’t about loss—it’s about freedom. Xả isn’t about escaping life—it’s about living it fully, with grace and lightness.

It’s not always easy. But the more we understand and love ourselves, the more we’ll be able to release—and in doing so, gain true inner peace.