Letting go by David Hawkins
One of my favorite quotes from this book is: “Don’t look for answers; instead, let go of the feelings behind the questions... When we are finally and fully surrendered on all components, the answer will be there waiting for us.”
It seems so simple when you read it, but applying it in life? That’s a whole other story. Letting go and surrendering is something I work on constantly. Some days it feels easier—like a breath of relief—and other times it’s like wrestling with myself, emotionally, mentally, even physically. But the process is always worth it.
I loved this book for its clarity and profound insights. Hawkins doesn’t just talk about surrender in an abstract way; he makes it tangible and actionable. One concept that stood out to me was acceptance. He writes, “In the state of acceptance, there is the feeling that nothing needs to be changed. Everything is perfect and beautiful the way it is.” It’s such a liberating idea, but like surrender, it’s also incredibly challenging. There have been times in my life when I couldn’t accept reality, and the struggle to resist it caused so much unnecessary suffering.
As I write this post, I have the book in my hands, flipping through all the highlighted passages and notes I made. It’s like revisiting an old friend. I feel called to re-read it now because I know I’m not the same person I was when I read it the first time. Life has changed me, and I’m sure this book will speak to me differently now.
In fact, I’m going through a painful breakup right now, and I can already feel how much the lessons from Letting Go will be welcome in my life. It’s not easy to surrender to heartbreak or to let go of what could have been, but I know from experience that there’s freedom on the other side.
What is the Book About?
In Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender, David R. Hawkins explores the transformative power of letting go of negative emotions and limiting beliefs. At the core of the book is the “letting go mechanism,” a simple but profound technique for releasing emotional baggage and freeing yourself from the past.
Hawkins emphasizes that awareness and acceptance are the first steps to transformation. By becoming conscious of your feelings and beliefs—and then surrendering them—you can experience greater peace, joy, and well-being. The book also introduces Hawkins’s groundbreaking Map of Consciousness, a scale that measures the energy levels of different states of consciousness. It’s a powerful tool for understanding how our emotions and thoughts influence our lives and how raising our level of consciousness can lead to more fulfilling experiences.
Hawkins provides guidance for applying these principles to everyday life. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, fear, or relationship challenges, the process of letting go offers a pathway to emotional freedom and spiritual growth.
Themes and Key Takeaways
The Letting Go Mechanism: A practical approach to releasing negative emotions and beliefs that weigh us down.
The Power of Acceptance: Embracing life as it is instead of resisting it allows us to find peace and freedom.
Surrender as Strength: True surrender isn’t about giving up—it’s about letting go of control and trusting the process.
The Map of Consciousness: Understanding the energy levels of emotions and how they impact our experiences.
Questions for Reflection:
How does Hawkins define surrender, and what does it mean to you personally?
What are some emotions or beliefs you’ve struggled to let go of? How might this book’s lessons help you release them?
How did the concept of acceptance resonate with you? In what areas of your life is acceptance the most challenging?
What are your thoughts on the Map of Consciousness? How might it help you understand your emotions and thoughts better?
What practical exercises or tools from the book stood out to you? Have you tried them?
How can the process of letting go improve your relationships or help you navigate life’s challenges?
What do you think are the biggest obstacles to surrender, and how might you overcome them?
How has the concept of letting go shaped your spiritual or personal growth?
If you’ve read the book before, how do you think revisiting it might give you new insights now?
For someone going through a difficult time—like a breakup, loss, or major change—what lessons from this book could offer the most support?
What About You?
Have you read Letting Go?
What lessons resonated with you the most?
If you haven’t read it yet, what are some emotions or beliefs you feel ready to release?
Let’s share how surrender has played a role in our journeys—and how we’re working to let go of what no longer serves us.