Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, and writer, has traveled widely to spread his teachings on mindfulness and nonviolence. His persistent peaceful campaigns calling for an end to the Vietnam War in the 1960s brought him worldwide recognition, as well as nearly 40 years of exile from his home country. Here, he advises us to let go of our attachments in order to find happiness. He writes that to cling to anything — “anger, anxiety, or possessions” — can encumber our experience of freedom. Thich Nhat Hanh has said “letting go is a practice,” and an art that can be cultivated daily. By recognizing and releasing our desires, fears, hurt, and resentment, we can live our lives more freely and joyfully.