What Letting Go Means Through the Wisdom of a Monk

I had the opportunity to speak with a monk who has devoted over 20 years to a life of simplicity and mindfulness.

The monk, who has spent his life growing up in a serene temple in Penang, shared how his upbringing shaped his perspective. Growing up surrounded by spiritual teachings, he nurtured a life built on discipline and devotion. This environment influenced his commitment to a path of inner peace.

When I asked him how he maintained his focus over the years, he offered, "Just keep chanting and follow one path. If in doubt, just remember, everything is just 'temptation'." His words struck a chord, emphasizing the need for consistency in our purpose, particularly in times of uncertainty.

He just need to complete quite the same task every day.

• Setting up and cleaning the altar in the temple.

• Praying and chanting whenever he doesn't has to "work".

"What exactly is letting go?" I heard that a million times whenever I am unhappy with life situation.

"Letting go means releasing the attachments that bind us. Clinging to things—people, possessions, or even feelings—can lead to suffering."

"When we focus on now, we are less likely to dwell on the past or fret about the future," he said. "Letting go is about being here now, free from the weight of what was or what could be."

I frequently worry about the future or regret the past.

Through our casual sharing, it became clear that the monk’s journey reflects a deeper path of self-discovery. " In letting go, we often find ourselves with some sort of peace," he remarked. "We uncover our true nature, free from layers of expectation and attachment."

In a society that often encourages attachment to material goods and emotional ties, the monk’s lessons remind me that true freedom lies in mastering the art of letting go. But what if its not me whom don't let go but the control comes from others whom I had to make a living with?

I studied his face and his eyes every time he spoke like singing a tune or two.

I wish I can be so light, at ease and simple like him.

If only I started to accept what and detached myself from whom I cannot change.

Baby steps.

“Embrace the journey, bloom like a lotus.”