Letting Go Is True Freedom

Only by letting go can one truly lift up.Letting go involves relinquishing subjective judgments and considerations,.

First, not thinking for one’s own selfish interests

Letting go means releasing subjective consciousness and self-centered judgments and considerations, but it does not mean lacking decisiveness. For example, when I have meetings with my students and disciples, I first encourage them to find answers on their own in relation to the topic. To obtain the answers, they must rely on their own efforts; I do not offer them any opinions, but rather provide them with clear themes and principles, and then ask them to take turns expressing their own views. If I were to express my own opinions at the beginning, adding my subjective color, various obstacles would arise in the process, especially in a democratic society where public opinion is strong. As a teacher, one must learn to abandon one’s own subjectivity in order to enable disciples to learn effectively.

Secondly, lift up the responsibility and obligation

One must lift up the responsibility and obligation towards the whole, the public, society, the country, and the world.Many people’s aspirations to “lift up” often prioritize their own interests, such as personal promotion and financial gain, all for the sake of securing their own and their descendants’ future safety. However, a person with noble character and cultivation would never act in such a manner. Otherwise, constantly prioritizing one’s own interests would lead to social unrest. Our vision must be broad and far-reaching; by doing so, we position ourselves in a grander perspective.

Those who can let go are wise, free, and liberated individuals.

Those who can let go should first release themselves, followed by letting go of everything around them. The so-called “letting go” does not mean losing oneself, but rather refers to letting go of the mind of resistance and reluctance. We come into this world empty-handed, and what can we take with us when we die? What is there that we “cannot let go of”? Being free from any attachment or reluctance to anything, at any time and in any situation, is what it means to be free and liberated.

For example, when someone deliberately sabotages and slanders you in order to damage your reputation, this is the most difficult thing to endure. If you can remain calm and unaffected when your reputation is tarnished, without any burden, then the loss of reputation will pose no threat or pressure to you.

Those who can lift up are compassionate, responsible, and dedicated individuals.

Shakyamuni Buddha renounced his royal status to become a monk, and even after attaining enlightenment, he took on the burden of all human suffering, propagating the Dharma for the welfare of all beings – this is the manifestation of compassion. The concept of “bearing the burden” involves taking responsibility. We cannot abandon the responsibilities and obligations we should fulfill. While we can “let go” of our rights and self-centeredness, we must “lift up” our responsibilities and obligations. In terms of the Dharma, this is true compassion.

The ability to let go is for the purpose of lifting up. Letting go of the self and offering oneself; letting go of personal gain and benefiting the public. After lifting up, one must let go, in order to be in harmony with the causal relationships, to be flexible, to be great and small, and to be free and at ease.