In any spiritual path one follows, inevitably, the idea of letting go rears its head. Why is it so important? Why is it so difficult? As women spiritual leaders we can face this conundrum in a myriad of ways. Not only on our own path, but also when dealing with others – for example when we are ministering to our people, we must approach them free of expectations and requirements; in many forms of meditation, we are asked to let our thoughts go as they appear; in counseling sessions, we must let go of preconceived projections and outcomes.

What are some of the things we need to let go of? Well, the list is infinite, but here’s some food for thought: shame, guilt, fear, anger, bad relationships, expectations, grief, resistance, dependency…

And through all of this letting go, the mind is clinging with fierce determination to what it knows. “The devil you know is better (safer) than the devil you don’t!” we exclaim. The dangerous unknown lurks in front of us like an abysmal hole. The purpose of the mind or Ego is to keep us safe – that part of ourselves will do whatever it takes to accomplish its mission of keeping us safe from harm – and what could be more unsafe than the unknown or change? However, a full cup cannot be filled with something new – it must be emptied first. Let go!

If we can allow ourselves to open up with grace (or without, as the case may be) and trust to the unknown and something different, what we find is a whole new world of options and possibilities. The Divine has more in store for us than we can imagine for ourselves, but our job is to have faith and let go!

The question is how? How can we let go when our “monkey mind” is clinging tight to its vine? There are 5 simple steps to easing into faith and “letting go and letting God”:

1. Label that part of yourself that is afraid. Give it a name and make it as real in your mind as possible. This gives you something to focus on.

2. Let it express its fear through journaling or meditation.

3. Speak to it gently as you would a frightened child. Don’t dismiss it – it will only cry louder!

4. Get silent and still so that you can hear the still, small voice within – this is what will tell you your next step, if any.

5. Breathe! It is so important during these times of change to remember to breathe.

By giving voice to your fears, you allow that voice to know it’s being listened to. Only then can it begin to be comforted. Then the monkey can finally let go of that vine – that’s the only way you’ll be able to catch the next vine – much like a trapeze artist, in order to catch one trapeze the artist must let go of the one they are holding and trust that the one they need will be where it needs to be when they let go.

Remember that when a window is closed, a door is opened. Go ahead, close that window! Let go and live life!

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an Interfaith seminarian, certified life coach, spiritual healer, teacher and guide. She is the co-founder of the International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders: www.iawsl.com.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following byline: The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download-as our GIFT to you-the 5 Secrets to Creating Abundance Through Your Calling. You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of information and tips for supporting you in your calling. Just click here: www.iawsl.com

This week we are celebrating Eid-al-Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice” or “Greater Eid” which is a holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world to commemorate the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God. This is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar.
Eid al-Adha annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar. Towards the end of the Hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide) the pilgrims descend from Mount Arafat to the Valley of Mina. This is when Eid-al-Adha occurs. It is approximately 70 days after the holy month of Ramadan.
By sacrificing an animal such as a cow, ram or camel, Muslims re-enact Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Traditionally, the meat is divided into thirds. One-third is eaten by the immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes the willingness to give up things that are of benefit or close to the heart, in order to follow Allah’s commands; and it reinforces the ties of friendship and the idea of helping those who are in need. It also reinforces the idea of “oneness” in the community.
If we take a look at the meaning of the word sacrifice in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, we find the following definition:

Main Entry: sac•ri•fice
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin sacrificium, from sacr-, sacer + facere to make — more at do
Date: 13th century
1 : an act of offering to a deity something precious; especially: the killing of a victim on an altar
2 : something offered in sacrifice
3 a : destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else b : something given up or lost <the sacrifices made by parents>
Eid al-Adha is a fitting time to consider what all of us are asked to sacrifice. Sacrifice does not necessarily have to be the sacrifice of an animal. In fact, check out the third definition above…the “destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else”. Consider the idea that what we are asked to sacrifice is something that is in the way of our spiritual progress and growth.
As women spiritual leaders our time is constantly filled. It could be activities such as our ministry, healing, or helping others in our community. It could be singing, sleeping, running errands. However, even if we are relaxing, our time is filled with something. Even when we think it is filled with nothing it is filled with our knowledge, it could be filled with our thoughts, it could be filled with our feelings, concerns, or worries.
Now, in order for something new, of a higher energy to come in, another thing of a lower energy needs to be released. If you have a cup full of water, but what you really want is hot tea, then you will have to “sacrifice” the water in order to receive the hot tea. More dramatically, a trapeze artist at the circus must let go of one trapeze in order to latch on to the next one.
How do you know what it is you need to sacrifice? In order to properly determine what needs to be let go of, you must have a clearly defined set of values. Every decision should be weighed against your value system. We are never asked to sacrifice something that matches our values for something that is not in accordance with our values.
So, what things, people, activities, or beliefs in your life do you need to let go of in order to get closer to the Divine, to your spiritual nature? Are you holding on to old beliefs of unworthiness or the belief that money is evil? Are you holding onto activities that are not moving you towards your calling or purpose? Perhaps you need to sacrifice some activities that are draining you or are not in alignment with your values. Have you said “yes” to too many requests for your time? Maybe some of your relationships are not healthy and supportive for you? Do you need to sacrifice a relationship for the greater good of your health, well-being and growth?
Consider if now is the time to take stock of what is holding you back and make a sacrifice to your higher good so that you can freely move forward in your work, serving the purpose and mission you are divinely guided to fulfill.

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an Interfaith seminarian, certified life coach, energy healer, mother and entrepreneur.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following byline: The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download—as our GIFT to you—the 5 Secrets to Creating Abundance Through Your Calling. You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of information and tips for supporting you in your calling.