Letting Go of Our Dead Weight

In the depths of a Fort Collins winter, as the snow lightly covers the ground and the air bites with cold, I find myself in the throes of an existential quandary.

The comfort of my familiar routines, once a warm embrace, now feels like a straitjacket. I’m caught in the age-old struggle of letting go of the old to make way for the new, a dance as ancient as the mountains that surround this Colorado city.

The I Ching, or Book of Changes, teaches us that life is a constant flow of transformations. Yet, how often do we resist this natural order, clinging desperately to what we know?

The Tao Te Ching reminds us, “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” But letting go is easier said than done, isn’t it?

Consider my own life: work that I could do in my sleep, a predictable social circle, and a routine that could run on autopilot. It’s safe, it’s known, but is it truly living? Or am I merely existing, sipping from a cup of stagnant water that once quenched my thirst but now leaves me nauseous?

In Eastern philosophy, there’s a concept known as “wu wei” - effortless action. It’s the art of aligning oneself with the natural flow of life. But here I am, stubbornly paddling upstream, exhausting myself in the process. My attachment to the familiar is like clutching a handful of sand - the tighter I grip, the more it slips through my fingers.

Let’s get real for a moment. We’re all guilty of it. We hold onto toxic relationships because the devil we know seems less scary than the unknown. We stick with unfulfilling jobs because the paycheck is steady and the benefits are good. We maintain habits that drain our energy because they’re comfortable.

But at what cost?

Imagine, if you will, that your life is a glass of water. When you first poured it, it was crystal clear, refreshing, full of possibility. But as time passed, that water became stagnant. Algae grew, debris settled at the bottom, and what was once life-giving has become toxic. Yet, we continue to drink from it, grimacing at the taste but too afraid to pour it out and refill the glass.

The Tao Te Ching says, “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”

But oh, how we resist!

Here’s a morbid but apt analogy: Many of us spend our lives dragging around a proverbial body bag with a dead person in it. At first, it’s just a small inconvenience, barely noticeable. But as time goes on, rigor mortis sets in. The bag gets heavier, starts to smell. We struggle under its weight, the stench becoming unbearable.

Yet, we continue to drag it, because it’s ours, it’s familiar. It’s only when the rot becomes undeniable that we finally consider letting it go.

But why wait for the stench of decay to motivate us? Why not embrace change proactively?

The hesitation, of course, is understandable. Letting go means facing the unknown, and that’s terrifying. We fear the disapproval of friends and family who’ve grown accustomed to our current state. We worry about lost income, lost respectability. But as the I Ching teaches, “Before the beginning of great brilliance, there must be chaos.”

In my own life, I’ve felt the pull of these fears. The thought of taking jobs just for money to pursue what I’m really passionate about and called to do sends shivers down my spine.

What if I fail? What if I can’t pay my bills? What if people think I’m crazy?

But then I remember the words of Lao Tzu: “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”

The truth is, growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. It happens when we step into the unknown, when we face our fears head-on. It’s in those moments of uncertainty that we discover our true strength, our real potential.

So, how do we make this leap?………

………How do we let go of the old and usher in the new?

First, we must recognize that change is not only inevitable but necessary for growth. The I Ching reminds us that change is the only constant in the universe. By resisting it, we’re fighting against the very nature of existence.

Second, we need to cultivate awareness. Take stock of your life. What’s serving you? What’s holding you back? Be honest with yourself, even if the truth is uncomfortable.

Third, practice non-attachment. The Buddha taught that attachment is the root of all suffering. By loosening our grip on outcomes, possessions, and even identities, we free ourselves to flow with life rather than against it.

Fourth, embrace discomfort. Growth is often uncomfortable. It’s meant to be. As the saying goes, “No pressure, no diamonds.” Allow yourself to be uncomfortable, to be scared, to be uncertain. That’s where the magic happens.

Lastly, trust in the process. The Tao Te Ching says, “Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself?” Sometimes, the best action is non-action. Trust that as you let go of what no longer serves you, space will be created for something new and beautiful to enter.

As I sit here in Fort Collins, contemplating my own journey of transformation, I’m reminded of another passage from the Tao Te Ching: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Perhaps it’s time for me to take that step, to pour out the stagnant water and refill my glass with fresh, clear possibilities.

In the end, letting go of the old to usher in the new isn’t just about personal growth. It’s about aligning ourselves with the natural flow of the universe. It’s about recognizing that we are part of something much larger than ourselves, and that by embracing change, we’re participating in the grand dance of existence.

So, dear reader, I leave you with this: What stagnant water are you still sipping? What body bag are you dragging around? Perhaps it’s time to let it go, to step into the unknown, and to discover the brilliant potential that awaits on the other side of fear.

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