--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How well we have learned to let go" description: "\"How well we have learned to let go\" — Jack Kornfield" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12e/jack-kornfield-936_learned_how-well-we-have-learned-to-let-go-20088_2008832.png" --- # How well we have learned to let go ![“How well we have learned to let go” quote by Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12e/jack-kornfield-936_learned_how-well-we-have-learned-to-let-go-20088_2008832.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12e/jack-kornfield-936_learned_how-well-we-have-learned-to-let-go-20088_2008832.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12e/jack-kornfield-936_learned_how-well-we-have-learned-to-let-go-20088_2008832.png) > “How well we have learned to let go” [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning to release attachments eases suffering and opens space for growth. **In simple terms:** Letting go reduces pain and creates freedom. Key Takeaway Practice release regularly. Themes mindfulness attachment growth Mood reflective calm Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - relationship conflict - grief - career change - personal setbacks Key Concepts Buddhism psychology emotional intelligence Questions to Reflect On - What are you holding onto that no longer serves you? - How does release change your daily experience? A Different Perspective Letting go can be painful and may feel like loss. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned/) [Learned Let](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned-let-2896948/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Letting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letting/) [Letting go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letting-go/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [Paradoxically, the more I learned to let go of my own wishes and desires (in this case, the desire not to be hit), the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-ralston/paradoxically-the-more-i-learned-to-let-go-of-my-own-wishes-and/) [Peter Ralston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-ralston/) > [For the person who has learned to let go and let be, nothing can ever get in the way again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meister-eckhart/for-the-person-who-has-learned-to-let-go-and-let-be-nothing-can-ever/) [Meister Eckhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meister-eckhart/) > [I have learned to let it go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade/i-have-learned-to-let-it-go/) [Jade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade/) > [“To protect the separate self, we push certain things away, while to bolster it we hold on to other things and identify with them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-protect-the-separate-self-we-push-certain-things-away-while-to/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Once we see that everything is impermanent and ungraspable and that we create a huge amount of suffering if we are attached to things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/once-we-see-that-everything-is-impermanent-and-ungraspable-and-that/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To let go does not mean to get rid of. To let go means to let be. When we let be with compassion, things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-let-go-does-not-mean-to-get-rid-of-to-let-go-means-to-let-be-when/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [“Learning to let go should be learned before learning to get. Life should be touched, not strangled. You've got to relax, let it happen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/learning-to-let-go-should-be-learned-before-learning-to-get-life/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [...when you let go of your expectations, when you accept life as it is, you're free.To hold on is to be serious and uptight.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carlson/when-you-let-go-of-your-expectations-when-you-accept-life-as-it-is/) [Richard Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carlson/) > [By letting go, you allow everything to find it's rightful place. 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Letting go a lot brings a lot of peace. Letting go completely brings complete peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/letting-go-a-little-brings-a-little-peace-letting-go-a-lot-brings-a/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [In the last few years in particular, I've found that it's okay to let go of culture rather than hold on to it. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anoushka-shankar/in-the-last-few-years-in-particular-i-ve-found-that-it-s-okay-to-let/) [Anoushka Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anoushka-shankar/) > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) ## More by Jack Kornfield > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [In opening we can see how many times we have mistaken small identities and fearful beliefs for our true nature and how limiting this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-opening-we-can-see-how-many-times-we-have-mistaken-small/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wherever you are is the perfect place to awaken. This moment is the exact place to practice compassion and loving awareness. You have all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wherever-you-are-is-the-perfect-place-to-awaken-this-moment-is-the/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Acceptance does not mean inaction. We may need to respond, strongly at times...From a peaceful center we can respond instead of react. Unconscious reactions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/acceptance-does-not-mean-inaction-we-may-need-to-respond-strongly-at/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To live in this precious animal body on this earth is as great a part of spiritual life as anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-live-in-this-precious-animal-body-on-this-earth-is-as-great-a-part/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [We do not have to improve ourselves; we just have to let go of what blocks our heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/we-do-not-have-to-improve-ourselves-we-just-have-to-let-go-of-what/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To open deeply, as genuine spiritual life requires, we need tremendous courage and strength, a kind of warrior spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-open-deeply-as-genuine-spiritual-life-requires-we-need-tremendous/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [As we step out of the way new things are born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/as-we-step-out-of-the-way-new-things-are-born/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [For most of us, generosity is a quality that must be developed. We have to respect that it will grow gradually; otherwise our spirituality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/for-most-of-us-generosity-is-a-quality-that-must-be-developed-we-have/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [What is truly a part of our spiritual path is that which brings us alive. If gardening brings us alive, that is part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/what-is-truly-a-part-of-our-spiritual-path-is-that-which-brings-us/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [“Working with these distractions, steadying the canoe, letting the waves pass by, and coming back again and again in a quiet and collected way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/working-with-these-distractions-steadying-the-canoe-letting-the-waves/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To understand ourselves and our life is the point of insight meditation: to understand and to be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-understand-ourselves-and-our-life-is-the-point-of-insight/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To let go in the deepest recesses of the heart, to release all struggle and wanting, leads us to that knowing which is timeless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-let-go-in-the-deepest-recesses-of-the-heart-to-release-all/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wisdom says we are nothing. Love says we are everything. Between these two our life flows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wisdom-says-we-are-nothing-love-says-we-are-everything-between-these/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Breathing meditation can quiet the mind, open the body, and develop a great power of concentration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/breathing-meditation-can-quiet-the-mind-open-the-body-and-develop-a/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) [Explore all 324 Jack Kornfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## More Learned quotes > [“let us not teach / what we have learned badly / and not profited by”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-hilda-doolittle/let-us-not-teach-what-we-have-learned-badly-and-not-profited-by/) [H.D. 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But this much I have learned--- if not enough else--- to live with my eyes open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/belief-isn-t-always-easy-but-this-much-i-have-learned-if-not-enough/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [I learned a lesson that I don't ever want to be a CEO.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wilcox/i-learned-a-lesson-that-i-don-t-ever-want-to-be-a-ceo/) [Larry Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wilcox/) > [Grandfather / advised me: / Learn a trade / I learned / to sit at desk / and condense / No layoff / from this / condensery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorine-niedecker/grandfather-advised-me-learn-a-trade-i-learned-to-sit-at-desk-and/) [Lorine Niedecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorine-niedecker/) > [My college experience was like everyone else's. I learned a lot. 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