As I have been applying the letting go technique, I’ve encountered the following problem : I would frequently misuse it as a way to repress whatever negative emotion that may arise. Instead of actually feeling the emotion as it comes up in my awareness, I would make the mistake of trying to « let it go » as a way to make the emotion disappear. And so, I would be in this mindset of trying to control my emotions.   So to counteract my tendency of using the technique to repress and control my emotions, I’ve found a new wording : whatever arises, I let it be.   When applying this, what I’ve noticed is that it trains me to accept the entirety of the present moment as it is, and prevents me from controlling anything. If anxiety comes up, I just let it be : I don’t try to react to it, I don’t try to control it in any way, or try to make it disappear. I just relax and let it be as it is, and I’m allowed to feel that anxiety as it is ; I don’t have to change it in any way. Actually, it’s all ok, it’s all good.   One thing that I’ve noticed also is that things around me start to become less and less of a problem. Precisely because I would just let everything be, they would all gradually cease being a problem by definition. For example, if stress arises, it wouldn’t be a problem at all because I would just let it be and accept it. I would just go out and do whatever activity I need to do, while feeling that stress in my body ; I wouldn’t be as affected by it precisely because I have stopped seeing it as a problem in the first place through letting it be as it is. In other words, I would let it be part of the present moment, and so I wouldn’t be affected as much. I would reach deeper and deeper levels of acceptance : if I am in an uncomfortable situation, I would accept the situation as it is ; if somehow I can’t accept it, I would just accept all my resistance to that situation. Again, whatever arises, I let it be.   Since I’m becoming more open to feeling everything, I’m having a deeper connection to all my emotions. There is less resistance to feeling more and more of my deeper emotions. It actually can become quite enjoyable at times, to be connected to yourself and to be experiencing all these cathartic moments.   I can start to see how « Whatever arises, I let it be » eventually leads to radical acceptance and absolute freedom, which are quite terrifying. It leads you to accepting thoughts, choices, situations and experiences that are horrifying for you. It’s all inspiring when it’s about learning how to accept failure for example ; but it becomes totally unacceptable and almost criminal when it comes to accepting the murder of a loved one.  But then, if you truly want total emotional mastery, this is where it’s leading you towards ; you’ll have to let go of your dualities and categories of what’s ok and what’s not ok.   Other variations : Whatever arises, it’s ok. Whatever arises, it’s fine. Whatever arises, let it be part of the present moment. Whatever emotion arises, let it express itself. Basically, you can get creative and come up with other ones. Keep what works and resonates with you, and ditch whatever doesn’t.   Potential traps (no concept or technique is completely foolproof) : Using this technique to ignore your emotions, to avoid dealing with them, and to push them aside. You’re actually supposed to feel them. Holding onto certain emotions ; that would still be you trying to control your emotions. You’re supposed to let them be : so, if they come to pass, then you let them subside.   Disclaimer : This is not to say that the letting go technique doesn’t work. This post is useful for people who, like me, has this weird tendency of misusing the technique to repress instead of feeling. Again, always do whatever works for you ; get creative when needed.   Hopefully this helps for you, as it has done for me.   And finally, one song to tie it all together : https://youtu.be/QDYfEBY9NM4