This chapter explores the profound realization that life is a process of letting go. The author reflects on how they once believed that happiness and joy had to be tightly grasped, thinking that only by holding on could they avoid losing these precious feelings. The more they clung to beautiful, shining, and joyful things—and avoided anything unpleasant—the more they unknowingly built a life on superficial values. With time and inner transformation, however, they came to understand that this way of thinking was deeply mistaken.
As the shift in consciousness progresses, the author discovered that the fewer things one holds onto—and the more loosely they are held—the more clearly the true world reveals itself. In this clarity, they realized that the real had always been present, needing no grasping at all. The act of letting go of the false naturally brings the true into view.
The visible world of form, once so carefully constructed, is no longer something to chase or preserve. When truly aligned with one's inner self, even well-ordered forms will naturally arise if necessary, and when no longer needed, can be released with ease. Letting go is no longer painful, because form is seen for what it is—just form, not the essence.
A person walking the right path gradually learns that gripping tightly is a source of suffering. They begin to loosen their grip, to let go, and through this act of release, they move closer to their true self. This journey leads not to loss, but to the rediscovery of a vast, joyful inner world that had always been waiting.
In hindsight, the author feels genuine gratitude for their former foolishness. It was precisely because they had clung so tightly and lived so blindly that they are now able to savor the depth of true joy and happiness. There is no shame in having been misguided. Instead, there is a deep sense of thankfulness for the entire path that led them to this realization. Through releasing what was never real, they stepped into a life where the real could finally be felt and embraced.
この章では、人生とは「握っているものを離していくこと」だと語られています。かつて著者は、幸せや喜びはしっかりと手にしていなければ失われると思い込み、良いものを掴もうと必死になって生きてきました。しかし、意識の転回が進むにつれ、それは大きな勘違いだったと気づきます。心が握っているものが少なく、またその握りが緩いほど、本物の世界が見えてくるというのです。
本物の世界に触れることで、過去に握ってきたものがいかに偽物であり、自分が愚かだったかが明らかになります。そして本物は、掴もうとしなくても、初めからそこに在ったことが分かるようになります。
形ある世界に執着せず、必要なときには形も自然と整えられ、必要がなくなれば心から離れていける——それが本当の自由であり、人生の学びです。愚かな自分だったからこそ、本物の幸せや喜びに出会えたという確信と感謝が、今の自分を支えています。