Letting Go for Peace

I am still wildly enamored of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love. The title alone is a good formula for creating peace on our lovely Earth.

At one point in her journey, a poet gives her the words which appear below in italics under the rubric “INSTRUCTIONS FOR FREEDOM.” My commentary for peace is in Roman type.

1. Life’s metaphors are God’s instructions.

Pay attention! There are messages around us all the time if we will but slow down and hear them so we may heed them. How much peace have you given up because you were going too fast to get the messages of God?

2. You have just climbed up and above the roof. There is nothing between you and the Infinite. Now, let go.

We all have our own version of “roof.” Where do you go to find yourself above the clatter of everyday life and living? Make sure you make time to go up on the roof! It is often by seeing from a higher perspective that we are able to let go. How much of your peace is diminished by the quotidian?

3. The day is ending. It’s time for something that was beautiful to turn into something else that is beautiful. Now, let go.

The end of every day is a perfect opportunity for review and release for the sake of peace. How much of your own peace have you sacrificed because you are holding on to something from the past that asks you only one thing—to let it go?

4. Your wish for resolution was a prayer. Your being here is God’s response. Let go, and watch the stars come out—on the outside and on the inside.

You are the star of your own Earth movie. How much peace will you create when you let your own stars come out—on the outside and on the inside?

5. With all your heart, ask for grace, and let go.

Is your heart tuned to peace? All of your heart? Ask for the grace to live in peace, and it will be easier.

6. With all your heart, forgive him, FORGIVE YOURSELF and let him go.

Change “him” to “them,” and forgive them all, forgive yourself (a HUGE step towards peace!) and let them all go. How much peace has escaped you in the name of old grudges, resentments, angers, fears, doubts? Bless them all.

7. Let your intention be freedom from useless suffering. Then, let go.

Suffering, contrary to much of popular wishful thinking, is part of life. It’s the useless (possible meaning: self-engendered) suffering from which we may be free. How much peace isn’t yours because you are causing your own suffering? Be gentle with yourself, and let go.

8. Watch the heat of day pass into the cool night. Let go.

There are things which cannot be changed in this world. Resisting them causes great distress. Every day is a new day. How much of your inner peace remains wrapped in old days?

9. When the karma of a relationship is done, only love remains. It’s safe; let go.

Safety here on Earth is a decision much of the time. (Personally, I struggle with this one every day.) How much of my peace is taken from me because I refuse to decide to be safe here? Too much. And so, I decide again, I am safe to let go.

10. When the past has passed from you at last, let go. Then climb down and begin the rest of your life. With great joy.

Have you noticed the poet’s common denominator in each instruction?

Let go!

Let go, let go, let go, let go, and then let go again. It’s a discipline, dear one, letting go. We cannot do it too much. And the result of letting go is always a renewed sense of inner peace. Let go, blessed one, let go for peace.