We think our demons have a hold of us.
But what if we are holding onto them?
What if we’re comfortable in our pain or the stories we keep telling, grasping them tightly, even unaware we may be doing so?
While practicing Qigong earlier this year with Grandmaster Mantak Chia, I was fascinated by something he repeated during our healing movements (particularly the brain/spine back channel of the body). He repeated:
I forgive, I forget, I let go.
I let go of all sickness, negative energy and bad fortune.
And then he told us, “You have to let go.” As if it’s up to us to release our grasp.
Is it that simple. Let go?
Not in my experience. Maybe it’s easier than we think. Or maybe it’s a daily practice or effort.
The Heart Sutra short mantra has been a companion of mine for nearly 15 years. While it has a more involved translation, the simplest one I’ve heard (and the one that spoke to me) was from my teacher, Lama Tsultrim Allione:
Om gate (let go)
Gate paragate (let go some more)
Parasamgate (let go completely)
Bodhi Swaha! (so be it!)
I feel this. Sometimes, I recite the Sanskrit. More often, during my walks, I mentally repeat, “Let go” and feel my shoulders drop.
“Let go some more” and the back of my neck releases.
“Let go completely” and my body relaxes with my exhalation.
“So be it!” and I leave all of those stories and weights to sink back into the earth behind me as I walk.
Maybe our demons have better places to be. Can we let them go so they can be on their way? It looks like the grey one has a party to attend.
Much love,
Stephanie
ps. If you’re interested in diving deeper into working with your demons, Tara Mandala has an online Feeding Your Demons FYD® course. It’s transformative. Find it here.
If you’d like more practices for lightening up and reclaiming your energy, you can find them in my recent book, The Life Force Blueprint:
Stephanie Hrehirchuk - Author 