How to Let Go Using Visualization

Our longing for control makes it hard to let go of things, situations, and people. We know that it’s impossible to control everything that happens in our lives, but we struggle with this truth on a daily basis. It can be as simple as an answer that we have been waiting for but doesn’t come, or a rainy day that ruins our vacation plans. Instead of getting creative and finding a different way to make things work, we get overwhelmed by anger and frustration.

The first thing that helped me deal with my negative feelings was the COMMITMENT to learn to let things go—I just decided that I wanted to receive the wisdom of surrender. As you know, realizing that you need to change something in your life is the first step towards healing. Even simply desiring to LEARN to let go shifted my perspective—every time I found myself in a moment of frustration, I stopped the thoughts and focused on my commitment. I also had to accept that negative emotions have to be embraced as parts of ourselves, but they come and go, like waves in an ocean.

The metaphor of us as the ocean that I heard in many spiritual teachings, resonates with me. Thinking of myself as the whole ocean and seeing the waves passing, put my problems in perspective—we can’t control the waves, but they are also temporary. This is a beautiful and effective visualization that can help you let go of things that are keeping you stuck—allow the movement of the waves and watch them disappear on the shore. Visualization is a powerful tool that you can use when you feel overwhelmed by negative emotions.