“learn to let go”
How does one avoid loss in the first place? Contrary to popular belief, it’s not attachment that causes loss- attachment feels fine. It’s detachment that hurts. Learn to let go. Some suggest that to avoid loss, one should never be attached to anything. This is reductive and untrue. They give the example of a hand in water: when a hand is removed from the water, the hand leaves no impression. These people say the reason the hand leaves no trace in the water is because the water is not attached to the hand. On the contrary, while the hand is in the water, it is very attached to the hand. It surrounds it, enfolds, embraces it. Allow yourself to fully experience the moment in life as water experiences the hand, then let go completely as water. Yes, the water leaves a little of itself on the departing hand, as we leave a little of ourselves with the people and things we touch, but for the most part, when it comes time to go, let go. The hand could no more hold the water then the water could hold the hand. As soon as one “wants” to leave, there is no attachment because there can be no attachment other than the mutual action of being together. Hand and water both accept the inevitability and part “clean”. When is it time to let go? When you’re on your way out or they’re on their way out. Embrace the moment, but learn to let go.
