Wow! I absolutely love synchronicities. And your work. And you, of course. Just last night on a message to a friend I felt very strongly to give her a permission slip - that I wouldve given myself a couple of months ago while going through a massive transition with little humans alongside - to drop all the expectations and keep the intention (though aspiration is way more fun… draw in breath… really?!!!!) and eventually the little seedling that is meant to be will be. Speaking words of wisdom. Let it be. Let it be. Thank you Sebene.
"drop all the expectations & keep the intention & eventually the little seedling that is meant to be will be." Wow. I need this permission slip, too! Thank you ✨
I actually practised the meditation first and was very happy to note this evolution from a sort of passive acknowledgement of “I am letting it be just as it is” to a form of invocation when applied to that future element we’re inviting in, very strong shift of the mind! Thank you for sharing 🦋
I love that you did the meditation first Marius. I never expect that because I record it after I write the essay but it's actually such a nice option. And thanks for sharing your experience/insight! xoxo
WHOA. So many feels on this one for me! I kept seeing the theme of this as a guidance on Allowing by leveraging the lens of Equanimity (upekkha abounds for me these days...). Some particular moments of sparks in my night sky:
-"My spiritual practice becomes a bargaining space: I will be with this back-pain/heartache/etc. so that it will go away."
YESSS! This has been lurking in the background of my practice. I have sensed a tension, a judging eye, but could not articulate it until now. Thank you for providing the words.
-"Let it be is a powerful incantation that releases me from the suffering of control but not from my responsibility to act. Aspirations become incantations that move me into alignment with freedom."
THIS is what action can look like in this context, instead of the lazy river confusion of 'let it go'. So helpful and so witchy (yas! here for it.)
-"Lack of control does NOT mean lack of power."
Felt my third eye expand when I first read this sentence. Gonna work with this as a gentle mantra for a bit and see where it takes me.
Thank you thank you for this beautiful offering, Sebene! Many blessings. 💕 Alyssa
…if you wish something NOT to be…then don’t speak of it. It’s our attention on something that gives it power and strength. Hating anything or anyone gives it power…and more power. Turn your back and attention away from the thing you are afraid of….that’s how it loses power. I
Yihun, yihun, yihun. Amen. I receive this with my open palms and heart. This really met me exactly where I am right now on so many levels. Deep resonance. Thank you, thank you, thank you! 🙏🏿
As an Habesha Ethiopian, I grew up with a ritual called mirik’at, as an integral part of my life. It’s a verbal art of personalized blessings, both deeply spiritual and poetic, which I was showered with everyday by my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, or other elders in my community. I truly believe that this established a blessing bank inside of me, sustaining me to survive and eventually live and thrive in the diaspora since the age of 10 to now 52 (happy birthday kindred Leos).
In the last three years, amidst the pandemic and compounding personal life crises, I realized how much I missed this powerful ritual as a regular part of my life. I have since been trying to cultivate new daily patterns of collective care-taking through mirik’at with those around me—by creating new habits to practice conscious well-wishing to give each other mirik’at and actively receiving it.
Thank you for your beautiful mirik’at.
I wish you and everyone else here, surprising moments of joy and deep relief from pains and burdens you are carrying. Yihun 🙏🏿
Thank you for sharing all this. I was very disconnected from both Ethiopian and Eritrean cultures growing up so I'm soaking up your description of mirik’at and allowing it to touch my soul. What a beautiful offering and I love "blessing bank" !! Yes! Very happy to meet you here. Much love. xoxo
Thank you for this simple yet powerful alternative interpretation of "letting go" as "let it be". Only after reading your essay & listening to the meditation did I realize that I also struggled with letting go, of past grievances, trauma, dreams, hopes, aspirations, it just felt like giving up to me, of losing control, of losing my identity. Ironically doing so kept me frustrated, living aimlessly, being in perpetual survival mode, just "letting go" today to have a chance at surviving tomorrow and all the unforseen challenges that I won't be able to control anyways. It felt scary, so I fought it with everything I had. Until I couldn't anymore, and I crashed and burned, mentally and physically...
"Let it be" though as you've proposed, encompassing both acceptance of what is yet still inviting possibility seems so much more peaceful and hopeful. It feels more true, less exhausting, more open to new opportunities in my life.
I have just found this and it has really touched me profoundly. I am really trying to learn how to be with discomfort and pain and have been finding so much instruction to release it, but I have found it impossible to do so as the discomfort is about the very core beliefs and values I have being bumped up against. The idea of letting that go feels like letting go of a deeply held principle of justice and peace. The notion you put forward here, of aspiration and allowing as a creative space feels like you have unlocked a key part of my resistance to parts of my meditation practice that take me into these areas.
Thank you so much. It feels like an important shift that will help me expand ❤️
I really loved the idea of “let (the good) be” I have been using this as a mantra and noticing all the times that shifting my attention to allow space for good has really been helpful.
Lovely photo of the water! I am very happy for your Huron getaway. C'est super!
All of my best vacations have been in Canada, age 5 at Expo 67 with my parents and 4 older sibs, age 16 camping our way through Nova Scotia, age 30 biking my way with my sister through PEI, at 35 touring Vancouver Island with the same sister and at age 60 going to Montreal with my bestie. Canada does seem softer and gentler. That said, our outstanding guide on a walking tour of Montreal cautioned us against they "plus gentil" mentalty and gave us a good talking to about the darker aspects of Montreal immigration history. Still...I always want to go to Canada! (And Truro, in Cape Cod, which is my other true, deep love refuge spot.. Check it out if you have never been there. All National Seashore, kettle ponds, bay, ocean, forests, foxes, seals, wild turkeys, artists.)
Thanks for all the recs Beejo. And, oh yes, I am well aware of Canada's less than stellar record around race and immigration. I even write about it in my book... I lived in Mtl in the late eighties/early nineties and let's just say I did not always feel safe walking alone in that city – day or night! It's better now, but still... Not to mention the record with the First Nations. That's a whole other conversation. Oh, Canada...
"I am not the boss of reality and I must be careful not to make practice simply another way to (attempt) control. If I make space simply to be with my experience, I can meet moments of liberation."
"Lack of control does NOT mean lack of power"
"...let it be is an opening – a simple imperative pointing to the paradoxes of aspiration without expectation, of incantation without anticipation, of power without controlling."
How dare you! These are too helpful, too real, & too helpful (did I say that one already?!). Thank you!
beautiful beautiful writings. ‘Let it be’ truly lands for me today ❤️
Happy to know that Serena! 💓
thanks for resharing this. the let it be mediation on the 10% happier app is one i have come back to so many times. thank you again.
Oh, thanks Wendy! I loved making it and this one. Let it be meditations forever!! 💓💓💓
Thank you for this beautiful piece (peace).
💓🙏🏾💓🥰💓
Wow! I absolutely love synchronicities. And your work. And you, of course. Just last night on a message to a friend I felt very strongly to give her a permission slip - that I wouldve given myself a couple of months ago while going through a massive transition with little humans alongside - to drop all the expectations and keep the intention (though aspiration is way more fun… draw in breath… really?!!!!) and eventually the little seedling that is meant to be will be. Speaking words of wisdom. Let it be. Let it be. Thank you Sebene.
Inspiring, aspiring… conspiring - breathing together!! 💓🥰💓
"drop all the expectations & keep the intention & eventually the little seedling that is meant to be will be." Wow. I need this permission slip, too! Thank you ✨
I actually practised the meditation first and was very happy to note this evolution from a sort of passive acknowledgement of “I am letting it be just as it is” to a form of invocation when applied to that future element we’re inviting in, very strong shift of the mind! Thank you for sharing 🦋
I love that you did the meditation first Marius. I never expect that because I record it after I write the essay but it's actually such a nice option. And thanks for sharing your experience/insight! xoxo
I found it soothes me into the content, I can pay attention better - will try again next time.
How lovely. 🥰
WHOA. So many feels on this one for me! I kept seeing the theme of this as a guidance on Allowing by leveraging the lens of Equanimity (upekkha abounds for me these days...). Some particular moments of sparks in my night sky:
-"My spiritual practice becomes a bargaining space: I will be with this back-pain/heartache/etc. so that it will go away."
YESSS! This has been lurking in the background of my practice. I have sensed a tension, a judging eye, but could not articulate it until now. Thank you for providing the words.
-"Let it be is a powerful incantation that releases me from the suffering of control but not from my responsibility to act. Aspirations become incantations that move me into alignment with freedom."
THIS is what action can look like in this context, instead of the lazy river confusion of 'let it go'. So helpful and so witchy (yas! here for it.)
-"Lack of control does NOT mean lack of power."
Felt my third eye expand when I first read this sentence. Gonna work with this as a gentle mantra for a bit and see where it takes me.
Thank you thank you for this beautiful offering, Sebene! Many blessings. 💕 Alyssa
Yes yes this all resonated with me, too!
Thanks for sharing all this Alyssa. I’m so happy to know it resonates for you! 💓✨💓
…if you wish something NOT to be…then don’t speak of it. It’s our attention on something that gives it power and strength. Hating anything or anyone gives it power…and more power. Turn your back and attention away from the thing you are afraid of….that’s how it loses power. I
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Yihun, yihun, yihun. Amen. I receive this with my open palms and heart. This really met me exactly where I am right now on so many levels. Deep resonance. Thank you, thank you, thank you! 🙏🏿
As an Habesha Ethiopian, I grew up with a ritual called mirik’at, as an integral part of my life. It’s a verbal art of personalized blessings, both deeply spiritual and poetic, which I was showered with everyday by my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, or other elders in my community. I truly believe that this established a blessing bank inside of me, sustaining me to survive and eventually live and thrive in the diaspora since the age of 10 to now 52 (happy birthday kindred Leos).
In the last three years, amidst the pandemic and compounding personal life crises, I realized how much I missed this powerful ritual as a regular part of my life. I have since been trying to cultivate new daily patterns of collective care-taking through mirik’at with those around me—by creating new habits to practice conscious well-wishing to give each other mirik’at and actively receiving it.
Thank you for your beautiful mirik’at.
I wish you and everyone else here, surprising moments of joy and deep relief from pains and burdens you are carrying. Yihun 🙏🏿
Selam Betelhem! And Happy birthday!! 🥳
Thank you for sharing all this. I was very disconnected from both Ethiopian and Eritrean cultures growing up so I'm soaking up your description of mirik’at and allowing it to touch my soul. What a beautiful offering and I love "blessing bank" !! Yes! Very happy to meet you here. Much love. xoxo
🙏🏿 Thank you. Good to meet you too.🤎
I've had the phrase "let it be" tattooed on me for awhile now ❤️ loved this
Oh wow. Love this Angela. 💓🫶🏾💓
Thank you for this simple yet powerful alternative interpretation of "letting go" as "let it be". Only after reading your essay & listening to the meditation did I realize that I also struggled with letting go, of past grievances, trauma, dreams, hopes, aspirations, it just felt like giving up to me, of losing control, of losing my identity. Ironically doing so kept me frustrated, living aimlessly, being in perpetual survival mode, just "letting go" today to have a chance at surviving tomorrow and all the unforseen challenges that I won't be able to control anyways. It felt scary, so I fought it with everything I had. Until I couldn't anymore, and I crashed and burned, mentally and physically...
"Let it be" though as you've proposed, encompassing both acceptance of what is yet still inviting possibility seems so much more peaceful and hopeful. It feels more true, less exhausting, more open to new opportunities in my life.
Thank you.
Yay! So happy to know this resonates with you Firas. Thanks for reading and practicing. xox
I have just found this and it has really touched me profoundly. I am really trying to learn how to be with discomfort and pain and have been finding so much instruction to release it, but I have found it impossible to do so as the discomfort is about the very core beliefs and values I have being bumped up against. The idea of letting that go feels like letting go of a deeply held principle of justice and peace. The notion you put forward here, of aspiration and allowing as a creative space feels like you have unlocked a key part of my resistance to parts of my meditation practice that take me into these areas.
Thank you so much. It feels like an important shift that will help me expand ❤️
I’m glad to know it feels helpful. Let it be!! And it’s a practice. I hope you can allow yourself patience and grace too… Much love to you. 💓🫶🏾💓
I really loved the idea of “let (the good) be” I have been using this as a mantra and noticing all the times that shifting my attention to allow space for good has really been helpful.
Yes! Let’s make it a mantra! 💓💓💓
Lovely photo of the water! I am very happy for your Huron getaway. C'est super!
All of my best vacations have been in Canada, age 5 at Expo 67 with my parents and 4 older sibs, age 16 camping our way through Nova Scotia, age 30 biking my way with my sister through PEI, at 35 touring Vancouver Island with the same sister and at age 60 going to Montreal with my bestie. Canada does seem softer and gentler. That said, our outstanding guide on a walking tour of Montreal cautioned us against they "plus gentil" mentalty and gave us a good talking to about the darker aspects of Montreal immigration history. Still...I always want to go to Canada! (And Truro, in Cape Cod, which is my other true, deep love refuge spot.. Check it out if you have never been there. All National Seashore, kettle ponds, bay, ocean, forests, foxes, seals, wild turkeys, artists.)
Thanks for all the recs Beejo. And, oh yes, I am well aware of Canada's less than stellar record around race and immigration. I even write about it in my book... I lived in Mtl in the late eighties/early nineties and let's just say I did not always feel safe walking alone in that city – day or night! It's better now, but still... Not to mention the record with the First Nations. That's a whole other conversation. Oh, Canada...
Funny—I wrote this haiku yesterday morning, long before reading this post:
conjugating verbs
re-membering how to be—
I am, you are, God …?
Oh! Love this Alan. Thank you for sharing! 💓🙌🏾💓
A bit late to the party but happy I made it. Three powerful words. Thank you Sebene. Another great one. Namaste 🙏🏼
Never late! Always welcome. 💓💓💓
"I am not the boss of reality and I must be careful not to make practice simply another way to (attempt) control. If I make space simply to be with my experience, I can meet moments of liberation."
"Lack of control does NOT mean lack of power"
"...let it be is an opening – a simple imperative pointing to the paradoxes of aspiration without expectation, of incantation without anticipation, of power without controlling."
How dare you! These are too helpful, too real, & too helpful (did I say that one already?!). Thank you!
😂 Thank you for reading. 💓🙏🏾💓