#4 - The Letting Go (Surrender) Technique
What is the Letting Go Technique?
Developed by Dr. David R. Hawkins, this simple yet powerful practice is all about releasing emotional baggage instead of holding onto it. It teaches you to stop resisting, stop overanalyzing, and just let emotions be. And when you do that? They naturally lose their grip on you.
I know—it sounds almost too simple. I thought the same thing at first. But stick with me, because this tool changed my life in ways I never expected.
Where I Was When I Found It
Ever felt like you’re carrying a weight you can’t quite put down? Like emotions keep circling back no matter how much you try to push them away? That was me—until I discovered the Letting Go technique.
I had already done deep inner child work, and I thought I had healed most of my wounds. But something still felt off. No matter how much I worked through my past, I could still feel the weight of old emotions.
I wasn’t actively searching for another tool, but sometimes the right thing finds you exactly when you need it. That’s what happened when I stumbled upon David R. Hawkins’s books. I didn’t just read them—I devoured them. They didn’t just make sense; they felt like truth.
And then, I picked up one of his books that describes the Letting Go technique.
As with Ho’oponopono, it seemed too easy at first. Just feel your emotions instead of resisting them? That’s it? But something in me whispered again, Try it.
How I Used It
There was a time when fear hit me harder than ever before. I had been traveling for almost two years, and it was time to start working again. I wasn’t too worried at first—I had 11 years of teaching experience, so I assumed finding a job would be easy.
But it wasn’t.
I sent out my resume to so many places… and heard nothing back. No calls, no emails. Just silence.
Panic crept in. What if I couldn’t find work? What if I had made a mistake leaving my old job? The fear grew stronger, taking over my mind and body. I couldn’t think straight.
Then I remembered the Letting Go technique.
So instead of fighting the fear, I did something completely different. I let it come. I let myself fully feel it—without resisting, without trying to fix it, without pushing it away. It was intense. I couldn’t function. I lay on my bed, completely overwhelmed, and just allowed the fear to exist.
For 24 hours, I sat with it. It felt like I was dying. But at the same time, I was determined. If this fear is here, let’s release as much of it as possible. I even asked for more. I knew I wouldn’t actually die from this feeling—but even if I did, I was okay with that.
And then, after 24 hours… it was gone. Not forever, but in that moment, it had lifted. I felt lighter, clearer.
I was ready to try again.
I opened my laptop to apply for more jobs, and right there, I saw an ad for an overseas volunteer teaching program. The deadline? Midnight—that night. It was already 9 PM. I had three hours to write an essay and fill out all the forms.
Something inside me clicked. I just flowed.
Before midnight, everything was submitted. And I got accepted.
That’s how I ended up teaching Korean language in Sri Lanka for two years— something that I would have never imagined before, but yet an experience that completely shifted the direction of my life.
The Power of Letting Go
If I had let fear control me, I would have stayed stuck. If I had resisted, I might have missed that opportunity. But by allowing the fear to pass through me, I created space for something better.
That’s the power of surrender. That’s the magic of letting go.
If you’re feeling stuck in fear, try it. Don’t push the fear away—just let it be. You never know what’s waiting on the other side.
Why I Love This Tool
In the beginning of my healing journey, I thought healing meant figuring everything out - why am I suffering, where did it come from, how can I be free from the past, etc., but the Letting Go technique showed me something revolutionary:
I don’t have to fix my emotions.
I don’t have to fight my emotions.
I just have to let them move through me.
And the best part? It deepened my connection with God. I realized I didn’t have to hold on so tightly. I could surrender. I could trust. I could let go.
And in that surrender, I found peace I never knew was possible.
How I Use This Tool Today
Now, Letting Go is just part of how I live.
When frustration hits? I pause. I feel it. I release it.
When sadness lingers? I don’t fight it. I sit with it.
When fear creeps in? I let it pass through me, instead of gripping onto it.
I even use this with my 5-year-old son. If he’s upset, I gently tell him, “It’s okay to feel it. Let’s take a deep breath together.” It’s amazing how much easier emotions move when we don’t resist them.
This isn’t just a practice—it’s a mindset shift. And once you get it, life starts to flow in a whole new way.
How You Can Try It
You don’t have to be an expert. You don’t need years of healing under your belt. You just need a willingness to experiment.
Notice the Emotion – Instead of running from it, stop and acknowledge it. “I feel this right now. And that’s okay.”
Let It Be There – No judgment. No fixing. Just sit with it for a moment.
Don’t Attach a Story – Skip the mental drama of why you feel this way. Just feel the raw emotion itself.
Breathe & Release – Let it move through you. Breathe deeply. Trust that it will fade on its own.
Repeat When Needed – This is a muscle. The more you practice, the easier it gets.
Remind yourself: You are not your emotions. They are just passing visitors. Let them come and go.
Resources
📖 Books by David R. Hawkins
Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender
The Eye of the I: From Which Nothing Is Hidden
Transcending the Levels of Consciousness: The Stairway to Enlightenment
🌐 David R. Hawkins website
veritiaspub.com
You can find all of David R. Hawkins’s lectures available for streaming anytime with a subscription ($20/month). If you're interested, check out his official website where his teachings are hosted. It's a great resource if you want to go deeper into his work and integrate his wisdom into your daily life!
🧘Guided Meditations & Talks
Search “David R. Hawkins Letting Go” on YouTube or look for guided meditations on emotional release
~~~
If you’ve been carrying heavy emotions for a long time, I promise you—this works. It’s not magic, but it feels like it. Because once you learn to let go, you realize something incredible:
You were never meant to carry it all alone.
Give it a try. You might be surprised by what happens next.
🙌 Ready for more? Learn about the 5th tool: Vipassana Meditation