Holding On / Letting Go

We live in a world that prizes possessions. Hence, we tend to hold on to things. Do you remember the last time you moved? How much of your ‘stuff’ did you hold on to? How much did you let go? And if you let go of anything, how did that feel?

Personal possessions are perhaps the most obvious examples of holding on and letting go. Yet personal relationships can be even more dramatic example of holding on to, and letting of, things. More than our personal possessions, we tend toward holding on to our personal relationships with even greater verve. We tend toward clinging to our relationships. And then when we let go of relationships, if we do, our response can be far more dramatic than with personal possessions.

More than personal possessions or personal relationships, the most vivid experience I have witnessed of holding on and letting go is with what we call life in the embodied state. I have been blessed to do many things with my Ministry work, but perhaps the most meaningful work I do is Chaplaincy work that focuses on visitation with the sick, infirm, and transitioning (or what is commonly referred to as dying).

I had the honor of sitting bedside with a man who was in the process of transitioning. I remember the day very well. He was nearing the veil of death and he shared with me that he was afraid. I held his hand and offered to him to squeeze my hand if he felt any fear. His grip became iron clad.

At one point I said to him, “It’s okay to let go.”

“But I’m afraid.” he said.

“I am with you. I will remain with you to the end of your time here.”

His eyes opened and I could see his fear lessening.

“Where am I going?” he asked.

“You aren’t going anywhere. You will simply remember a state of being that has always been with you. It is a state in which you will know nothing but peace and love.”

And with those words, he closed his eyes and journeyed through the veil of death. His grip on my hand weakened. A sense of peace washed over his body.

This man’s ultimate peace was in letting go of embodied life itself. He clung to his life. He was afraid to let go. But in letting go, he was offered the greatest gift of remembering life in its purest sense—without our myriad of illusions cast upon it.

What are you holding on to in your life? How are you holding on? What is it you need to let go of?

Robert Meagher has been ordained as an Interfaith Minister and certified as a Sacred Attention Therapy (SAT) Therapist. Robert is the Founder and Spiritual Director for Spiritual Guidance and Co-Founder of the Center for Human Awakening.