Everything we believe about ourselves and others is an idea, an image constructed in our heads. And these mental constructs can be some of our biggest obstacles and struggles.

Letting go of our mental constructs—our ideas about ourselves and others—can be most liberating.

I’m not saying it’s wrong to have mental constructs. We can’t help it—it’s human and often necessary for whatever we’re doing. But they can also be obstacles that cause pain.

So, let’s look at what it would be like to let go of these mental constructs, and then how to practice.

We need concepts and mental constructs to relate to the world, but they can also be highly problematic. Let’s look at what happens if we can let go of them.

These are a few examples, but you can see that letting go of “ideas” can be freeing.

We start to realize that we can access a wider view of each moment by letting go. Our vision becomes broad instead of narrow and tight. We can access an open, fresh perspective in the midst of any struggle. We start to have a more relaxed way of being with life and can access freedom, peace, and presence in any moment.

So how do we practice letting go of our mental constructs?

First, start by noticing what ideas you have about the world, yourself, and other people in various moments. What are your ideas about the situation that is annoying you? What ideas do you have about yourself in that situation? How is everything you believe about someone or some situation just a set of ideas or mental constructs?

That doesn’t mean it’s bad to have ideas, but recognizing that they’re ideas we’ve created is a powerful step in moving beyond the hold they can have on us.

Second, contemplate what this moment would be if you were free of these notions. Imagine that the blackboard of your mind were wiped clean of the narrative and ideas about the thing you’re thinking about.

Imagine a moment that’s free of these ideas. Feel the wider perspective of the moment that becomes accessible when you let go of the ideas. Feel how open, free, and light you become.

Third, once you’ve accessed this, you might let yourself become present to the sensations in your body. Catalog any feelings—such as tightness, heaviness, tension, fear, and anxiety—that are residing in your stomach, shoulders, heart, head, or elsewhere. Ignore any ideas about these sensations—just note the experience of the sensations. What does it feel like? Could you relax with the sensations in the present moment, or even feel the freedom of being in the midst of the experience?

Finally, ask yourself if you can take a small action. Wash a dish. Write a sentence in that email you’ve been avoiding. Speak to the person in front of you with an open heart. You don’t need to do anything—experiencing the freedom of the present moment is enough. But freed of your ideas, there might be something you feel called to do—a single, helpful step you can take.

Are you up for practicing letting go of ideas and experiencing the freedom available in each moment?

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.