Summary of The Practice of Letting Go of Mental Constructs:
The belief systems we have about ourselves and others in our heads can sometimes stand in our way and cause us pain. However, letting go of these mental constructs can be one of the most liberating experiences. It is not wrong to have mental constructs as it is human nature, but being aware of them is important. We can practice letting go of these constructs by becoming aware of them, imagining a moment free from constructs, being present to sensations in our bodies, and taking small actions. Through this practice, we can access a wider perspective of each moment and experience freedom, peace, and presence.
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The Power of Letting Go of Mental Constructs
As humans, we create mental constructs and ideas about ourselves and others. While these constructs are often necessary for daily life, they can also cause pain and stress. Letting go of these constructs can be a liberating experience, leading us to a more relaxed way of being with life and accessing freedom, peace, and presence.
Concrete Examples of Letting Go of Mental Constructs
Letting go of mental constructs means recognizing that they are just ideas that we have created in our minds. For instance:
- If you feel stressed about an upcoming meeting or social event, the idea of looking stupid or being judged are just constructs in your head. By letting go of these constructs, you can return to the present moment and enjoy the experience.
- If someone complains about you, the idea that they are wrong, and you can never do anything right is just a mental construct. You can become present to the sensations in your body, freeing yourself from the resentment that comes from the extra narrative.
- If you feel resistance to a task and want to procrastinate, the idea that it is too difficult or overwhelming is just a mental construct. By letting go of the idea, you can be present to the sensations of resistance, fear, and overwhelm that are occurring in the moment. This allows you to access the freedom and beauty of the experience.
How to Practice Letting Go of Mental Constructs
Practice begins by recognizing the mental constructs that exist in any given situation. Ask yourself what ideas you have about the world, yourself, and other people.
Imagine what it would be like to be free of these ideas. Feel the wider perspective of the moment and the openness that becomes accessible when you let go of the constructs. Feel how freeing, how open, how lovely it is.
Once you’ve accessed this, you might let yourself become present to the sensations in your body, of tightness, of fears or resistance or overwhelm, of emotions. Not the ideas but the experience of the sensations. What does it feel like? Could you relax with the sensations in the present moment, even feel the freedom of being in the midst of the experience?
Finally, take a small action based on the mental construct. Wash a dish, write a sentence in that email you’ve been avoiding, or speak to the person in front of you with an open heart. You don’t need to do anything, but experiencing the freedom of the present moment is enough.
Conclusion
Letting go of mental constructs can be difficult, but the rewards are numerous. By practicing, we can access a wider perspective of each moment, leading to a more relaxed way of being with life and accessing freedom, peace, and presence.
Are you ready to practice letting go of mental constructs and embracing the freedom of the present moment?
By Leo Babauta
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