Many spiritual traditions have a slant on the expression, Let go, and Let God. Why is this? The concept centers on the precept that we are innately egotistical; that is, concerned with self and thus we have a lot of self-talk. How are we feeling about this or that? How does this person make us feel? Do we like what happened to us? And if we don’t like it, then we are hurt, angry or otherwise agitated about the outcome of the situation, relationship, or event. This is an inwardly facing world view and, frankly, since we are souls in a body, here to learn lessons, a view that is understandable. But, just as understandable, this is not the only view. We can also be outwardly facing e.g. altruistic, or more caring about what others think, feel, and want. Both perspectives are quite valid and may be more appropriate in certain circumstances. That being what it may, the attainment of a balanced perspective is always a good goal.
Now, where do we go from here? Letting go, as the Buddha proclaimed, is releasing our ego self to be more balanced and in sync with our true natures or “God-like”. Let’s dive a bit deeper on this one. When we are egotistical, we have cravings, desires, anger, and hurts about what we want/need to make us happy when in reality all we are doing is setting our mind in a place that creates irritability and suffering. Thus, moving out of this mindset, frees us from our wanting, needing, and craving to have life different than what it is to be more still. To put it another way, letting go and turning the problem over to God helps us to be more tranquil much like God. Thus we have the phrase, Let go and Let God.
Edgar Cayce, the renowned psychic of the early 20th century who would do readings from a sleeping state, had the expression, be still and know that I am God. This is a similar concept to the prior Buddhist one in that it stresses the importance of slowing down to get in touch with our inner divine self. We all have this inner divine quality (we are souls in a body here to learn lessons) which we often forget about. By slowing down, we can focus our minds to better connect with this inner knowing. In the end, both expressions are a way to move forward in our lives to betterment. Whichever one speaks you, by all means use.
Joanne's StarTeacher Blog 