Letting Go

The Pathway of Surrender

by David R. Hawkins

4.7(10,815 ratings)

10 min read

Brief overview

This book explores how our buried emotions quietly shape our lives and offers a powerful way to release them. By learning to let go of negative feelings and limiting beliefs, we discover greater inner freedom and a profound sense of peace. Through practical examples and gentle guidance, the process becomes an invitation to live more fully and authentically.

Introduction

Why do we feel weighed down when everything around us seems fine? So often, it's not the big external stressors but the accumulation of hidden emotions that quietly sap our energy. Over the years, we learn to push away fear, anger, or sadness without even realizing it.

This book presents a different approach. Rather than repressing, fighting, or fixating on what hurts, we gently allow the feelings to be there—and then let them dissolve. The author calls this letting go a natural human ability we already possess.

In these pages, you'll find the foundation for a simple yet profound technique that encourages emotional release, showing how acceptance can transform every aspect of daily life. Let's begin with why these repressed feelings build up and how they quietly rule our choices.

Emotional freedom starts with noticing the weight we carry and realizing it can be put down.

The Weight of Suppressed Emotions

We often assume events or people force us to feel certain ways. But many of our strongest reactions come from old feelings stored inside us, just waiting to be triggered. When we push away grief or anger, those same emotions remain within, shaping our outlook on the world.

Imagine that each repressed feeling is like a rock in a backpack. As we go through life, the stones pile up. One day, something small occurs, and suddenly we feel overwhelmed. It's not the small event causing our distress—it's years of emotional build-up.

This perspective explains why certain situations keep repeating. What we haven't released continually resurfaces as similar challenges. By recognizing that our reactions come from within, we start breaking free of blaming others or circumstances for our feelings.

When we heal something in ourselves, we heal it for the world.

Looking to dive deeper into Letting Go?

Download our app to unlock every key idea and gain full access.

What is Letting Go about?

“Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender” by David R. Hawkins offers a straightforward method for releasing suppressed emotions that weigh us down. From anxiety to resentment, the book highlights how unrecognized feelings can quietly shape everyday choices and sap our energy. Hawkins’s approach reframes these inner burdens as opportunities for true emotional freedom and shows how acceptance can be a powerful catalyst for personal development.

By focusing on practical exercises and gentle self-awareness, the author demonstrates how we can gradually dismantle harmful patterns. Readers learn that letting go is not about denying life’s complexities but finding a calmer, more resilient way to experience them. This book stands out for blending psychological insights with a compassionate tone, making its teachings accessible and transformative.

Review of Letting Go

This text excels in guiding readers through tangible steps to address hidden emotional triggers. Its unique strength lies in emphasizing patient self-observation over complex analysis. This makes the principles easily adaptable to daily life, from managing workplace tension to navigating personal relationships. Each chapter offers accessible examples, encouraging ongoing reflection rather than one-time solutions.

The writing style is both clear and empathetic. Hawkins avoids jargon, making the book suitable for individuals exploring spiritual insights and those simply wanting better emotional health. He addresses common stumbling blocks—like fear and judgment—and explains how to move beyond them. Readers seeking a balanced path toward relief from stress and negativity will find it highly relevant. Overall, “Letting Go” is a beneficial resource that concludes with a simple but profound recommendation: recognize challenging feelings, allow them space without judgment, and watch as relief naturally arises.

Who should read Letting Go?

Professionals looking for practical ways to handle everyday stress
People exploring spiritual or personal growth seeking deeper emotional insight
Therapists and counselors interested in holistic methods for emotional release
Anyone feeling stuck in repetitive thoughts who wants a new perspective
Health-conscious readers aiming to connect mental balance with overall well-being

About the author

David R. Hawkins was a nationally renowned psychiatrist, physician, researcher, spiritual teacher, and lecturer with over 60 years of experience in psychiatry. He held an M.D. and Ph.D. and was the Founding Director of the Institute for Spiritual Research, Inc. and Founder of the Path of Devotional Nonduality. He authored numerous books, including the bestselling trilogy "Power vs. Force," "The Eye of the I," and "I: Reality and Subjectivity," and was knighted by the Sovereign Order of St. John's of Jerusalem of Denmark in 1995. His work in "Letting Go" provides a practical technique for removing inner blocks to happiness, love, joy, success, health, and ultimately, Enlightenment.