Rising into Your True Self
Letting go is one of the most loving acts we can offer ourselves. Each time we release an old pattern or belief, we make space for our truest, purest selves to emerge, free from the weight of past fears and insecurities. But release isn’t always easy; it requires intention, courage, and patience. For those on a journey of self-discovery, rituals can serve as powerful tools for letting go, helping us to shed what feels heavy and lift up what brings lightness.
While some people turn to psychedelics, spiritual retreats, or other intense experiences as part of their release journey, this post will focus on other approaches. All of these practices are valid, and psychedelics or guided retreats can offer meaningful insights for some people. However, they’re not the only path to healing, nor are they readily accessible to everyone, therefore I want to offer some other methods that help accomplish the same result . The release rituals shared here are gentle, accessible practices that you can do yourself, tapping into tools you already have. In the end, everything you need for healing and growth is already within you; the most powerful work happens in the quiet privacy of your own heart.
This guide offers release rituals that are simple yet profound. Release doesn’t have to be a dramatic change; it’s often a series of gentle steps, peeling away one layer at a time, revealing growth and healing beneath.
The Power of Anchors and Balloons: What We Hold Onto
In life, we all carry both anchors and balloons. Our anchors are the old fears, insecurities, and unhelpful thoughts that weigh us down, keeping us from moving forward or reaching new heights. These anchors make us feel heavy, rooted in patterns that no longer serve us.
In contrast, our balloons are the values, intentions, and inner truths that lift us up. Values like kindness, self-respect, freedom, and authenticity inspire us to elevate and grow. Each time we connect with these values, we’re lifted, moving closer to our truest selves.
One especially grounding concept is having a “North Star” value—a guiding principle that keeps us aligned with who we are becoming. This value might be something like compassion, freedom, honesty, or love. When we connect with this “North Star” value, it brings clarity in times of uncertainty, grounding us in our purpose and reminding us of the direction we want to move toward.
A release ritual is an invitation to recognize what weighs us down and consciously choose to let go of these anchors while celebrating and strengthening the balloons that help us rise.
The Science and Practice of Letting Go
Letting go is not just an emotional process; it’s also a physiological one. When we release a deep-seated belief or emotion, we’re creating change in the brain through neuroplasticity, the process by which our brains form new pathways. Old pathways associated with limiting beliefs begin to weaken, while new ones connected to our values and intentions start to form. This is why consistency in release rituals and integration is so powerful. Each time we recognize a limiting thought and shift back to our intention, we reinforce this new path, making it easier over time to stay aligned with our growth.
Research also shows that self-compassion plays a vital role in this process. Studies by psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff reveal that self-compassion—treating ourselves with the same kindness and understanding we’d offer a friend—actually strengthens resilience, making it easier to face difficult emotions or setbacks. Each time we slip back into an old habit and then gently realign ourselves, we’re practicing self-compassion, which deepens our ability to let go and move forward.
The Power of Emotional Connection in Ritual
An essential part of any ritual is the emotional connection we bring to it. Our brains retain memories more strongly when they’re tied to emotions, especially powerful ones like joy, sadness, love, or even fear. This is why connecting deeply to our emotions during a release ritual can help solidify the experience, creating a memory that stays with us.
When you’re engaging in a ritual, try to allow yourself to truly feel whatever emotions arise. If sadness, relief, joy, or even grief come up, let them flow. This emotional connection becomes part of the ritual’s impact, creating a lasting imprint that reinforces your commitment to the changes you’re making.
Intention: The Heart of Every Ritual
Any ritual is most powerful when it begins with a heartfelt intention. This isn’t about setting rules or goals; it’s about a quiet, inner commitment to let go of something heavy so that we can feel more free. Your intention can be as simple as, “I’m ready to let go of self-doubt,” or “I release my need to control every outcome.” When we hold an intention in mind, we invite our deepest self to step forward, helping us align with our values and recognize what’s holding us back.
Exploring Different Paths to Release
There are many ways to create a release ritual; the key is finding something that resonates with your heart and values. Here are a few types of rituals you might consider, each one offering a unique way to let go and create space for new growth:
Activity-Based Rituals: Our bodies often hold onto what our minds have let go of. Activities like dancing, hiking, or even a strenuous workout can help release stored emotions, tension, and energy. These physical rituals ground us in the present moment, helping us to reconnect with our bodies and shake off what feels “stuck.”
Try it: Go for a mindful walk in nature. With each step, imagine releasing an old belief, fear, or feeling that no longer serves you. Set an intention as you walk, breathing deeply and visualizing each exhale as a gentle release.
Fear-Facing Rituals: Sometimes, release means facing what scares us in a gentle, compassionate way. When we approach our fears—whether it’s a difficult conversation, a new experience, or a personal challenge—we show ourselves that we are stronger than our doubts. Fear-facing rituals are about stepping into discomfort, but from a place of love and curiosity, allowing us to release the hold fear has on us.
Try it: Choose a small fear you want to release. Write about it, speak it aloud, or do something symbolic (like stepping into cold water or standing barefoot on the earth). Each time you return to this ritual, imagine yourself letting go of the fear’s hold on you.
Intention-Based Rituals: Sometimes, a quiet intention is all it takes to begin a release. Lighting a candle, holding a meaningful object, or simply sitting in stillness can become a powerful ritual when paired with clear, loving intent. These rituals remind us that release doesn’t need to be complex or dramatic—it can be a gentle, daily act of letting go.
Try it: Light a candle, take a few deep breaths, and focus on a thought or belief you’re ready to release. Imagine it leaving your body with each exhale, dissolving like smoke as the flame burns.
Deep-Rooted or Ancestral Release Rituals: Sometimes, the heaviest patterns are the ones we inherit—deep-rooted beliefs or emotional patterns that come from family, culture, or even ancestors. Releasing these anchors can be a powerful way to break free of cycles that no longer serve us, honoring where we’ve come from while choosing a new path forward. Many ancient traditions involve symbolic actions like lighting candles, burning herbs, or immersing oneself in water to signify renewal. When we incorporate these elements, we connect with timeless wisdom, honoring both past and future.
Try it: Write a letter to your younger self or to an ancestor, sharing what you’re ready to let go of and what you hope to bring forward. Bury or burn the letter as a symbol of release and renewal, inviting new energy to support your journey.
The Lesson of Fading Memories and Integration
When we have a profound realization—whether through a ritual, a retreat, or an intense experience—it can bring clarity, a feeling of release, and a sense of peace. But over time, those lessons may fade, and we can find ourselves slipping back into old patterns. This doesn’t mean the lesson is lost; it’s simply dormant, waiting to be reawakened when we’re ready.
Integration is essential for making these lessons last, especially when working through trauma or old patterns. It’s natural to slip back into familiar habits; in fact, failing to hold onto a lesson is a meaningful part of the process. Each time we recognize ourselves slipping back, we’re strengthening our awareness, deepening our understanding, and reinforcing our values as our guiding compass. In this way, recognizing where we need to refocus is a success in itself.
Finding Personal Balloons for Integration
After a ritual, the work of integration begins. Integration is about bringing the insights from your ritual into daily life, letting them settle and become part of you. With trauma, integration is especially important because it’s through repeated awareness that we begin to recognize old patterns, making it easier to notice when we’re veering away from our values. Over time, certain activities can serve as balloons that help you feel grounded in your values, guiding you back to your truest self. Here are some ideas for integration balloons:
Music or Movement: A favorite song, dance, or gentle walk can reconnect you with your truest self, bringing you back to center.
Meditative Activities: Knitting, journaling, or even a moonlit stroll can remind you of your intention and provide grounding. These activities help you feel present and calm, offering a moment to reconnect with your growth.
Books and Reflective Reading: Sometimes, a meaningful book can bring you back to the lessons and realizations you gained during a ritual, serving as a gentle reminder of why you’re on this journey.
Personally, The End of Your World by Adyashanti has been a powerful anchor for me as I float up and down through these integration tests. This book has helped me understand what’s happening as I release control and navigate my path, offering a steady reminder of what it means to surrender. Each time I feel the need to grasp or question outcomes, I open it up and revisit a passage, grounding myself in its message and remembering why I am letting go in the first place.
Releasing with Love and Patience
Remember, release is a journey, not a single step. Sometimes, the heaviest anchors take time to loosen. Each small ritual, each intentional step, helps you clear a little more space, moving you closer to your truest self. With each release, you’re choosing love over fear, clarity over doubt, and values over insecurities.
And as you go through this process, remember to hold yourself with love and forgiveness. If you slip back into old thoughts or patterns, remind yourself that this is only natural—you are human, and growth doesn’t require perfection. True healing is a process of falling back, noticing it, and gently returning to the path you’ve set for yourself. Every slip is a chance to practice self-compassion, to learn, and to realign.
Celebrate each small success along the way, each anchor you release, and each balloon that lifts you higher. This journey of release is one of continuous growth, revealing more of who you truly are, and guiding you toward a life rooted in love, resilience, and self-compassion. With time, patience, and intention, you’ll find yourself lighter, freer, and more connected to your highest self. May each step bring you closer to the peace and clarity you seek, and may you always find the strength to rise.
