Do All True Spiritual Paths Lead To Just Letting Go?

[garro]

Is letting go of our sense of our control over the world the real lesson behind all spiritual paths?

Is acceptance and less clinging to the sense of 'I' and 'mine' the real answer to life's problems?

Could this be all there really is to the Buddhist path and other spiritual paths.

Do we need to do anything (meditate, chant, pray, study) to just accept this?

[jumnien]

I wouldn't say letting go as much as maintain a loose grip. Wear your spirituality like a loose garment; but do wear clothes!

[sgtpeppers]

Yoga means "union" so its quite the opposite of letting go.

[IMA_FARANG]

Is letting go of our sense of our control over the world the real lesson behind all spiritual paths?

Is acceptance and less clinging to the sense of 'I' and 'mine' the real answer to life's problems?

Could this be all there really is to the Buddhist path and other spiritual paths.

Do we need to do anything (meditate, chant, pray, study) to just accept this?

I wouldn't say that what you are asking is the basis of all spiritual paths but it has a lot to do with Buddhism. And especially in Zen.

Learning to overcome the illusions and delusions that bind a person to what is seen as the so-called real world is one of the main points of buddhist teaching.

Here is a quote to consider:

Becoming a buddha is easy, but ending illusions is hard

Now in my personal opinion...some others might disagree...that doesn't mean abandoning the "real-world", but just not letting the attachments of that world guide your life. And learning to do that definately is not easy. It takes practice and effort.

As for the method you choose, whatever your path is. that depends on your personal choice and your nature. For some meditation might be the path. Some find chanting sutras and such as the answer. Personally, I believe all that is irrelevant, it is merely the means by which a person clears his/her mind of delusions and illusions, to better understand their true nature.

As for teachers, you need to understand:

You are your own teacher. Looking for teachers can’t solve your own doubts. Investigate yourself to find the truth - inside, not outside. Knowing yourself is most important."

Ajahn Chah

That doesn't mean you can't learn from a teacher....but it does mean only you can learn your own nature.

Also consider this...another Ajahn Chah saying, I believe:

Mindfulness means to lovingly-accept what is happening in he present moment, without trying to control, resist or change it.

And since I seem to be on an Ajahn Chah streak it seems, let me leave you with one of my favorite quotes from him:

Try to be mindful and let things take their natural course. Then your mind will become still in any surroundings, like a clear forest pool. All kinds of wonderful, rare animals will come to drink at the pool, and you will clearly see the nature of all things. You will see many strange and wonderful things come and go, but you will be still. This is the happiness of the Buddha."

Ajahn Chah

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To learn the teachings of the Buddha is not to get anything, but to unload things.

Ignoring the Buddha within, why do you look for the Dharma on paper?

Bankei

[Brucenkhamen]

Is letting go of our sense of our control over the world the real lesson behind all spiritual paths?

Is acceptance and less clinging to the sense of 'I' and 'mine' the real answer to life's problems?

Could this be all there really is to the Buddhist path and other spiritual paths.

Do we need to do anything (meditate, chant, pray, study) to just accept this?

I think you are onto something.

Though I think there is a good kind of letting go and a bad kind. A fundamentalist will let go of his free will and ability to think for himself and surrender his will to God or his religious organisation. The affect of this I think is quite similar to the Buddhist ideal of letting go in many ways, and it's much easier, but the negative aspects of it are obvious.

It could well be though that the original teachers of those religions were pointing to a letting go that is very similar that encouraged in Buddhism, whether that is the beginning of the spiritual journey or the end of it is another story.

[Brucenkhamen]

Yoga means "union" so its quite the opposite of letting go.

I would have thought that "Union" was the ultimate in letting go, you let go of your seperateness, desires, and self determination to that which you unite with.

[rockyysdt]

Is letting go of our sense of our control over the world the real lesson behind all spiritual paths?

Is acceptance and less clinging to the sense of 'I' and 'mine' the real answer to life's problems?

Could this be all there really is to the Buddhist path and other spiritual paths.

Do we need to do anything (meditate, chant, pray, study) to just accept this?

Judging by my posts you'll know I'm a novice in the field of enlightenment.

Though my intellect tells me that thinking about letting go isn't enough.

Thinking about extinguishing "I" isn't enough to extinguish it.

I suspect that regular deep meditation through stillness and/or prayer, chanting or walking will connect you with the egoless state.

My other thought is that if one chooses to be a Buddhist and goes about life ignoring their ego, then they are an egotist.

My reason for saying this is:

"Why have I chosen to be a Buddhist or practice Buddhist philosophy? Is it because I want people to think of me as a good person?

Is it because I want to experience enlightenment which will guarantee my success?

Is it because I want to improve my life?"

All these reasons are egotistical and so acceptance and less clinging to the sense of 'I' and 'mine' are not the real answer to life's problems as you are in a catch 22 loop.

[dutchguest]

Is letting go of our sense of our control over the world the real lesson behind all spiritual paths?

Is acceptance and less clinging to the sense of 'I' and 'mine' the real answer to life's problems?

Could this be all there really is to the Buddhist path and other spiritual paths.

Do we need to do anything (meditate, chant, pray, study) to just accept this?

I think there is a point it. Not everybody can sit in a monastry, look at his navel and let everything go. Somebody has to plant the rice.

The "ego" idea in many litterature is the principle that connects us with reality and has an integrating, unifying function. In cases of mental illness there is often spoken of "a weak ego", desintegration of the unity, losing contact with reality. So I think it may be better to speak of a false ego, witch one has to get rid of, and a true ego. Then we can see psychoanalysis and the buddhist way as kind of transformationprocesses.

Personally I don't call myself a buddhist, or anything else. I don't like like labels and stamps and I think they can restrict a person to find his own way. On the other side: without words or names or certain generalisations communication becomes very difficult.

[Yamantaka]

When I first started taking Buddhist teachings I saw a Thangka (painting) of a Buddha holding what I was told was a "Wish-fulfilling Gem". I asked what that meant and was told that when I understood the Dharma, I would have everything I could ever want. My response was, "Yeah right".

Thirty years later I now understand that when I have fully understood the teachings, I will have everything I want since there won't be anything that I want that I don't already have.

It is all about ridding one's self of attachments, ignorance and delusion. Slowly, slowly one can let go of what seems important and end the attachment to that thing/person/idea which is causing suffering. There are many practices which can aid in this quest. Meditation is the one that I prefer. But this is an individual choice.

The thing I like best about Buddhism is that there are really no set rules. It's more like Buddha said, "This is what I did that got rid of my suffering. Try it. It might work for you." You find what in yourself is most in need of improving, and then find a way to do it that best suits you, your psychology and your lifestyle.

It's not about giving up control, but about not having an attachment to wanting the control. Actually its not about giving up anything, but freeing yourself of the attachments that cause you to think you need whatever it is in order to be happy. The truth is usually that getting rid of the attachment makes you happier.

[billzant]

Dear Garro,

If you let go, what's left?

Hope you are keeping well,

All the Best

Bill Z

[RakJungTorlae]

Is letting go of our sense of our control over the world the real lesson behind all spiritual paths?

Is acceptance and less clinging to the sense of 'I' and 'mine' the real answer to life's problems?

Could this be all there really is to the Buddhist path and other spiritual paths.

Do we need to do anything (meditate, chant, pray, study) to just accept this?

I would think that “ having the max” of Self control is the way to go. Today’s society doesn’t let us to let go Or we will be “bums” ? the idea is good thou, peace n harmony with no self attachments.. so wouldn’t the real challenge would be how you can control your self in every little detailed. Kind of like a Monk In training.

[rockyysdt]

I would think that " having the max" of Self control is the way to go. Today's society doesn't let us to let go Or we will be "bums" ?

Interesting thought.

If everyone on earth pursued enlightenment seriously it could lead to planetary chaos,mass death starvation and suffering.

Most city dwellers rely on the few to feed them and to provide essential services and medical assistance.

[Brucenkhamen]

I would think that " having the max" of Self control is the way to go. Today's society doesn't let us to let go Or we will be "bums" ?

Interesting thought.

If everyone on earth pursued enlightenment seriously it could lead to planetary chaos,mass death starvation and suffering.

Most city dwellers rely on the few to feed them and to provide essential services and medical assistance.

That's why the Buddha setup a sybiotic relationship where there are full time practitioners and those who support them.

But this thread seems to be focussing on a very coarse interpretation of letting go. It's not about leaving your shirt untucked and not bothering to turn up for work, the letting go referred to is much subtler.

It's about the subtle desire to control ones experience and create a future out of ones desires, it's a matter of attitude not what one does. One can be a very busy person in ones chosen activities and have a letting go attitude, the Buddha for example, or one can do nothing all day and feel uptight about everything.