RE: Letting go and methods of recapitulation
I'm glad you wrote this article because I do think a lot of people misunderstand the concept of letting go or detachment.
Someone said something to me once that I found really impacting. They said: "Those that know, will understand. Those that don't, won't." It seems so simple and straight forward, but it makes for a complex problem. When speaking about things like detachment for example, how do we build a bridge of understanding and help those who don't yet understand?
I believe sharing different strategies is an excellent way! It gives people more choice, and I believe that increases the chance that they will connect to a message, and find their path of understanding.
You are absolutely right. Detachment is for after we have worked on healing ourselves. It does not mean leaving wounds open and bleeding. It is imperative that we work through our pain, our fear, find forgiveness, find acceptance, and closure. Otherwise, it will cloud the present moment, and it will create a volatility within us. Otherwise, like you explained, the pain and suffering will be never ending.
This is my first time reading about recapitulation (even though I consider myself an avid reader ha). Interesting! I have to say, it took me far more than 2 years to work through my own past, my pain, to find forgiveness, and finally acceptance. It was not easy and took some serious dedication. I used a lot of CBT self-therapy at the beginning. I had allowed my experiences to jade my perspectives to the point where I was not even capable of thinking clearly. Over the years, falling into acceptance(healing, forgiveness, acceptance, closure) has become easier for me. Acceptance is something I practice daily.
I use mindful breathing(I know not the same as recapitulation) to help restore my inner peace, to return myself to presence. It still amazes me how something so simple as mindful breathing can be so powerful. Having and carrying inner peace with me wherever I go, into whatever circumstance I find myself, really helps to not lose myself in my emotions. It makes me far less reactive.
Yes, I like this description: You know you have come to terms with the past when it is like an old film. Being able to recognize the past without the emotional reaction.
Do you have a book/author/speaker recommend to learn more about recapitulation?
Thank you for a long and thoughtful commentary! The only book/author I would recommend right now is Carlos Castaneda, I like his method and description. They seemed to resonate with me.
But he has 11 books (if I am not miscounting) and I don’t remember on top of my head which one has detailed descriptions of it. When I find it, I will let you know.
As for breathing... you are so right and breathing itself is such a vast topic... There are many breathing exercises in martial arts and in different “spiritual” or “magical” traditions... We are so used to just breathe and not lay attention to the process, but it can be used as a practice for achieving many various outcomes. I had a teacher who would say there are thousands of breathing techniques that can change human perception, thinking, physical and mental abilities, dreams, and powers... And I must start trying all that out! I’ve been neglecting this breathing thing for such a long time because it seemed too “passive” for me, but I was wrong. “Calm” and “passive” is not the same thing, plus some breathing techniques are actually physically demanding.