Lesson 2: RELEASE – Letting go of the old (pains and regrets) and creating space for the new
Autumn is the time of year that we often pause to reflect. We feel the energies of the current year ending and the new year approaching. We begin to look at what we have accomplished in the current year and what we want differently for the coming year, assessing the things that are unchanged, the goals unreached. And we look to find ways to honor some semblance of change before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st.
Autumn is a great seasonal time to honor release, to unburden old hurts and resentments and realize the freedom and peace we can create in this process. As we near the holidays and get togethers with family and friends we can easily sense triggers, old wounds, last spoken words and often have an inner desire and prayer for a peace we would rather experience.
Following the movements of nature, we notice that during Autumn, not only do the leaves turn magical colors, but the trees respect this change, and graciously release the leaves, allowing them to fall to the ground. In its own way, nature is releasing the old and making space for the growth of the new.
In our lives, releasing often involves the practice of forgiveness – forgiveness of ourselves, others, or both. Many times, we are guilty of holding on to things beyond their time. A life experience comes to teach us an important lesson, and we acknowledge and indulge in the pain instead of recognizing the lesson, taking stock in our new wisdom, and moving forward. This is simply a function of being human. It is normal that it takes us time to realize the lesson and build a desire to release the pain.
Did you know our bodies physically hold on to emotional pain that we mentally hold on to it? This is evident in the know fact that emotional stress can cause health issues in our bodies. Some of those old and new aches or pains that make us catch our breath are from deeply buried emotional pains that have woven into the depth of our muscles and bones. How would our body feel if we released them?
If we are that tree, ready to shed autumn leaves, embodied with the knowledge that for a time we will be naked and bare as we heal, maybe we can summon the bravery to release those old hurts. After all, this is a yearly cycle for nature. It will also be an ongoing process for us.
After releasing we can then envision healthy, fresh, green leaves replacing the fallen ones in time, and believe that the pain we released will be replaced by heathier, happier, emotions and events of life. That space we create by releasing will be filled with something stronger and more beautiful.
Releasing Activity (Burning Ceremony):
- Write down something you want to release. This can be a hurt or resentment from prior years that has been weighing you down. It can even be a list of items.
- Tear up the paper and form it into a ball. Hold the ball within your fist. Realize that if you hold on to this pain you are preventing yourself from receiving something more beautiful. You cannot accept a gift with your hand clenched into a fist, that is full of resentment and pain.
- Choose to burn your papers in a fireplace, wastepaper basket or other nonflammable container (metal or glass bowl). Watch as the smoke dissipates. Take deep breaths to signify your complete release. Make sure you are relaxed and not holding resistance.
- Make a statement of forgiveness and releasing such as: “I release these memories and pains that no longer serve me. I forgive every element of this experience and own the wisdom of the lesson.” Repeat the statement until the paper is completely burned.
Celebrate the release completion by acknowledging that you have closed the door to something that brought you sorrow and pain and opened the door to let in a more joyful experience! You may repeat this ceremony as needed. When the pain rises again, remind yourself of the lesson you retained, and that all other elements have been released.