Resolve to Let Go
Sojong Reminder from Anam Thubten
Dear Dharma friends,
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A year is not just a man-made, mental construct. Instead, it has to do with a whole cycle of changes taking place in the natural environment as well as in our psycho-physical spheres. Arriving at the end of the year is a good opportunity to look back and see how we’ve changed on many levels. As a practitioner of the Dharma, our minds have gone through positive changes through the power of our practices. It is important for us to recognize this wonderful result as evident not only within ourselves, but in ways that others can also witness.
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This is also a moment to hold the resolution to let go of some habitual patterns that we see as an obstacle to awakening. This won’t be some kind of wishful thinking exercise, but as Buddhist logic goes, it is recognizing the very nature of our mind as luminous or unconditioned. Because of this fundamental truth, we understand that all of these mental habits simply came to be a condition that we inadvertently fed in our daily lives - they are not permanently etched in our being. Once we stop feeding them, they’ll begin to decrease and instead, what we’ll cultivate is this sense that we can abide in a state of mind that is filled with inner serenity and loving kindness. Therefore, holding this resolution to let go has the power to stop us from feeding habitual patterns, especially when it's accompanied by trust in our capacity to succeed.
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This time of year can be very magical for many as it offers an opportunity for us to slow down, read good books, cook delicious meals at home, and spend time with loved ones. It can also be a time for us to deepen our commitment to our spiritual practice. So during this last sojong of 2023, let me invite all of us to sincerely look into our minds, identify some habitual patterns that are somehow influencing us in our daily lives, and imagine how liberating it could be to live without them. Hold trust that you have the capacity to let go of these habitual patterns and resolve to bring about awareness of them so that you will soon be able to welcome a day when they no longer have power over you.
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May each of you have a new year of good health, abundant joy, and many auspicious circumstances.
With palms joined,
Anam Thubten
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