Stop Fighting Against the Current: Why True Healing is About Being Open, Not Letting Go

Cultivating Permeability and aligning with the natural flow of life can lead to the greatest breakthrough

Oct 09, 2024

View of a cyclist riding along a seaside path on a sunny day, surrounded by pine trees and a grassy park area. Yellow daffodils bloom near the base of a tree stump, and two empty benches face the calm waters, with distant hills visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Hey there, dearest Lionies, 🦁✨

Imagine standing on the edge of a vast river, watching as the water effortlessly flows around rocks and obstacles, its path altered but never obstructed. It adapts, shifts, and responds, all while remaining fluid and true to its nature. But when I reflect on my own life, I see so many barriers I’ve built—rigid boundaries designed to protect myself from more pain, disappointment, or fear.

For those of us who have experienced deeply impactful, life-altering events, it’s easy to become rigid, clinging tightly to the need for control. I’ve spent years grappling with this, believing that to heal meant closing myself off. Yet, it turns out that true healing is less about protection and more about permeability—letting life’s currents flow through us while retaining our core essence. It’s about becoming open and responsive to what life brings, without losing ourselves in the process.

Today’s intention, Permeability, invites us to open up in a way that’s less about "letting go" and more about allowing. It’s not about moving on from what we’ve experienced, but instead learning how to let it pass through us, leaving behind only wisdom and insight. And today’s affirmation, “I am the Momentum I Seek,” serves as a powerful reminder that the momentum and speed we crave aren’t somewhere “out there” but are already within us. We are the very energy and transformation we seek—everything we need is already here, waiting for us to recognize it.

Intention: Permeability

Permeability is the ability to allow experiences, emotions, and energies to flow through us without creating rigid boundaries or barriers. It’s about being open and responsive to life’s constant changes, letting the fullness of each moment pass through us while still retaining our sense of Self. Cultivating permeability means consciously choosing to remain receptive, so we can experience the richness of life without becoming overwhelmed or closed off.

Buddhist Perspective: While the concept of permeability isn’t directly stated in Buddhist texts, it parallels the principles of Sunyata (emptiness) and Interconnectedness. These teachings suggest that being open and accepting the interconnected nature of all phenomena helps dissolve the illusion of separateness, allowing us to move through life with a sense of spaciousness and non-resistance.

Inspiration to achieve the Intention

Embrace “Micro-Surrenders” Throughout the Day: Practice releasing control in small, seemingly insignificant moments—such as letting go of your preference for how a conversation should unfold or surrendering to unexpected changes in your routine. These micro-surrenders build the muscle of permeability by allowing life to “happen through you,” rather than being resisted or tightly controlled.
Engage in Creative Rituals that Involve Dissolution: Try an art form like watercolor painting, where the pigment naturally bleeds and flows unpredictably, or sand mandalas that are ceremonially swept away. These creative acts embody the principle of permeability, teaching us to embrace the beauty of dissolution and the natural flow of impermanence.
Adopt the Practice of “Intentional Un-knowing”: Set aside dedicated time where you intentionally let go of seeking answers or forming opinions—whether it’s reading a book with no goal of understanding, listening to music without trying to interpret it, or sitting in nature simply allowing it to “be.” This practice expands your capacity for permeability by helping you get comfortable with not grasping or labeling.

Journaling Prompt

The nature of this systemic question is pattern identification and exploration, aimed at recognizing where and how permeability can be enhanced.

Systemic Question: “Where in my life am I holding on too tightly, and what would it look like to loosen that grip just a little?”
Hint: Consider areas where you often feel frustration or resistance—these are clues pointing to places where permeability is lacking. Imagine what it would feel like to “let life flow” a bit more in these areas, allowing yourself to lean into curiosity instead of control.

Affirmation: I Am the Momentum I Seek

I am the embodiment of the momentum I yearn for. With each mindful breath, I nurture the dynamic flow within, allowing outdated beliefs and habits to transform into fuel for new possibilities. I recognize that I am not separate from the speed I desire, but the living manifestation of its potential.

In this present moment, I create a welcoming space for the Mystery to propel and sustain my journey. My progress is not measured by external validations, but by how authentically I remain true to my intrinsic rhythm, even amidst life's challenges.

I am learning to speak the language of my soul, embracing the quiet undercurrents of my being. By choosing to live a more authentic life, I honor the paths that lead to my truest self. I trust in the cyclical nature of growth, allowing elements of my life to accelerate, pause, and renew without resistance.

With unwavering dedication, I move towards the future I was meant for, remaining flexible and at ease with my natural flow. I stand fully present, offering companionship to my everyday experiences while staying loyal to my unique qualities.

I am the universe experiencing itself through my distinctive perspective, deeply grateful for this opportunity to explore life through the divinity of my perceptive body. In recognizing my true nature as boundless awareness, I embrace the freedom of knowing I am interconnected with all that is and ever will be.

Key Takeaway

The essence of this affirmation is that you are not separate from the momentum or progress you desire; you are the energy, speed, and flow you seek—everything is already within you, evolving through your willingness to align with your natural rhythm and embrace life’s ebbs and flows.

“I am the living expression of the velocity and transformation I yearn for, existing in harmony with my own evolving rhythm.”

Journaling Prompts

Reflective Question

“What would it mean for you to acknowledge that the pace and progress you seek are already part of who you are?”
Hint: Reflect on moments when you felt truly aligned with your own rhythm—what sensations or inner cues did you experience? How might embracing this awareness change your perception of progress or achievement?

Future-Oriented Question

“What would it look like to fully embrace your own unique pace, even when it diverges from external expectations or norms?”
Hint: Consider a scenario where you prioritize your intrinsic rhythm over societal pressures. How might this shift affect your approach to goals and your sense of self-compassion? Explore how allowing yourself to be the velocity you seek could open up new possibilities in both small and significant ways.

When we realize that we are the flow we’ve been searching for, we unlock a new way of being. The rigid walls we’ve built around ourselves become less necessary, and instead, we learn to trust our own rhythm. What changes could you see in your life if you allowed this kind of permeability and self-alignment to unfold?

Sending you so much love and strength,
Jay