"Letting go a little brings a little peace. Letting go a lot brings a lot of peace. Letting go completely brings complete peace." Ajahn Chah
A resident sits in my office upset and stressed. He tells me his narrative and wonders how to feel better. How he can stop living with depression and anxiety.
And I talk to him about getting into acceptance of the moment. Of the way things are right now. To let go of wanting things to be different.
His expression says the idea intrigues him but he doesn't know how to let go. And I tell him to forget about the things he wants, but doesn't have - the things that are making him miserable.
Then I tell him the story of how natives in Borneo trap monkeys by cutting a small hole in a coconut and putting a banana inside. Once the monkey reaches in and grabs the treat he can't get his fist out unless he lets go of the banana. But most of them don't and get captured - still holding the banana.
All we have to do is let go of those things that are making us miserable and we'll feel better. But sometimes that's hard to do.
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