Letting Go While Remaining Steady

In the quiet meditation hall, as the bell’s resonance faded, hundreds of practitioners slowly lowered themselves onto their cushions. Some sat with straight backs and half-closed eyes; others slumped like wilting flowers. The teacher walked slowly down the aisle, his gaze calm and observant, watching each posture carefully.

“Dear students,” his voice rang out in the stillness, “when you sit in meditation, you must first regulate your body. Sit in the correct posture, clearly aware that your entire being is letting go.”

The teacher paused beside a student sitting hunched over, back curved like a shrimp. “Do you see? This person thinks they are letting go, but in reality, they are weak. Slumping down causes the spine to lose its straightness, and the spirit becomes unstable. In daily life, such a person startles at small noises and wants to flee when facing difficulties.”

A young student in the front row raised an eyebrow, looking confused. The teacher turned to him and smiled gently. “Do you think letting go means collapsing or lying flat? It does not. True letting go means the body remains dignified, the back is straight, and the posture is beautiful, yet every finger, toe, and muscle is completely relaxed. Like a bamboo stalk standing tall under the sky while its leaves sway softly in the wind.”

The teacher sat down to demonstrate: back straight, shoulders open, hands resting lightly on his thighs. “Do you see? I sit in full lotus, my back is straight, but there is no tension anywhere in my body. This kind of letting go is entirely different from weakness. It makes one courageous, ready to face life’s storms, yet still gentle and peaceful.”

An older student in the corner spoke up, his voice hesitant. “Venerable teacher, when I keep my back straight for a while, my shoulders and back become tense. How can we be both straight and relaxed?”

The teacher nodded approvingly. “That is a good question. Notice how, since birth until now, our body and mind have always been tense. Even here, your chest is tight, your shoulders are braced, and your hands are clenched. Does anyone realize this?”

Many students flinched slightly, as if suddenly remembering something. The teacher continued, “Only when we consciously let go of the whole body do we realize: oh, I have been tense all along. Throughout our lives, from birth until death, people remain tense, staring wide-eyed without even knowing it.”

Looking around the room, his voice warm and deep, he said, “Therefore, meditation begins with learning to let go. But it must be letting go within a dignified posture. The body is straight and graceful; the mind is free, carrying no burdens. Do not accept sloppy or distorted sitting. If the body is wrong, the mind is wrong; if the body lacks beauty, the mind will lack purity.”

A male student in the middle row asked, “Teacher, I have seen places teach that meditation should be comfortable, without needing to sit straight, and leaning against a wall is acceptable. Is this incorrect?”

The teacher shook his head firmly. “It is incorrect. Because body and mind are one. A hunched body leads to a lethargic mind; a straight body allows the mind to be clear and steady. A meditator who sits loosely or leans heavily develops a weak spirit, unable to withstand adversity.”

He paused briefly, then spoke slowly. “Thus, one must sit beautifully in meditation. Not to show off, but so the mind becomes upright. The dignity of a practitioner radiates peace, bringing comfort to those around them. Practice this: straight back, open shoulders, total relaxation, natural breath. If you achieve this, even before entering meditative concentration, you already possess courage and the bearing of a true practitioner.”

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating faces that were gradually softening. The meditation hall became profoundly still. Breaths grew lighter, shoulders dropped slowly, and expressions lost their tension. In this space, the teacher smiled faintly, like a gardener seeing the first sprouts emerge from the earth.

### The Meaning of the Story

The lesson Venerable Thich Chan Quang wishes to convey is that letting go does not mean surrendering or being weak. A meditator must maintain a straight, dignified body while allowing the mind and body to relax completely. This is the foundation for a brave, peaceful, and wise spirit. Body and mind are always connected: an upright body steadies the mind, while a relaxed body brings mental tranquility.

Compiled from the dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang