Relinquish
RELINQUISH = to withdraw or retreat from; to leave behind; give up, yield, release
QUESTION: What is something you would like to relinquish?
Image: Heather Williams, H.W., M.
STORY: The story of Joseph in the bible (Genesis 37-50) is about the importance of working with and facing our problems, old habits, old memories in order for us to wake up, to release, to relinquish a whole new understanding that is buried deep within the problem. You might remember that Joseph’s father saw that Joseph was very receptive to wisdom and thus he called Joseph, the “Chosen One”. (In our lives, we each are “The Chosen One”.) Well, Joseph’s brothers became jealous and angry and one day they sold him to a caravan headed for Egypt. In Egypt, Joseph was hired to be a slave to a military leader named Potiphar. Potiphar is called away to war and Potiphar’s wife tries to seduce Joseph but he refuses. When Potiphar got home his wife showed him Joseph’s underpants and said he tried to assault her. Potiphar throws Joseph into prison. In prison Joseph became known as a good dream interpreter. Well, one day the Pharaoh has a dream and none of his advisors interpret the dream satisfactorily so he brings Joseph out of prison and tells him his dream: “Seven fat cows walking down the road are eaten up by seven lean cows”. Joseph says the dream signifies that the next 7 years will be abundant with crops of wheat and corn and those 7 years will be followed by 7 years of famine. Joseph suggests that the Pharaoh build graineries to store the abundance and provide a way to feed your people during the famine. The Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of this operation. In a sense, Joseph is above Pharaoh. Wow! There have been many times in my life when I faced a big problem. Instead of fighting, complaining, blaming - I found a safe place away from others and screamed out my emotions and I opened up a whole new understanding. Releasing the Hidden Splendour is a class I recommend. Learn more about the upcoming May 2025 class!
QUOTES
“Joseph’s story reveals that even though we cannot control circumstances, we can control how we respond to circumstances.” ~ Margaret Feinburg
“Feel the feeling but don’t become the emotion. Witness it. Allow it. Release it.” ~ Crystal Andrus
“True emotional healing doesn’t happen without feeling. The only way out is through.” ~ Jessica Moore
“You are the hero of your own story. The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” ~ Joseph Campbell.
EXERCISE
STOP.
Sit quietly.
Assume an erect posture. Sense the breath.
Relax.
Ask yourself - is there a problem I need to work with - is there a new understanding I need to relinquish?
Get your pen and paper and write words and draw lines expressing the problem and the new understanding that is relinquished.
Move forward into your day with this new understanding.