Gently Leave It, and Let Things Unfold

— The Wisdom of Being with What Is —

“We humans sometimes need to learn from dogs.

Don’t pick it up,

leave it,

and keep going.”

— K E I K O

“Leave it.”

“Leave it” and “let it be” may sound simple—perhaps even passive, indifferent, or cold,

as if we’re turning away.

But in truth, it is the opposite.

Letting be is the very heart of the sonomama practice.

It is an active and intentional attitude, not passive at all.

It holds quiet strength, deep compassion, and the wisdom of true freedom.

What “Leave It” Truly Means

To let something be—or to leave it—means to release attachment and the urge to interfere.

It’s to see ourselves, others, and situations just as they are—and leave them as they are.

It is not indifference, nor a denial of responsibility.

It is the path to freedom from the mind’s impulse to control and shape everything to our liking.

It’s the courage to meet what is, without fixing or fleeing.

An active, loving stance arises from embracing, accepting, and caring.

And in that space, a doorway opens to genuine freedom.

Being with Things Sonomama

To “let be” is to live sonomama—as it is.

Sonomama means being with this moment before judgment, before reaction.

It’s resting with reality beyond the filters of good or bad,

and simply being with what is—right here, right now.

Rather than rushing to respond or intervene,

we trust the natural arising and fading of all things.

We don’t disturb the flow—we witness it.

The more we develop this capacity to rest sonomama,

the more we live in harmony—not control.

Seeing Without Judgment

We habitually label and judge everything, often without realizing it.

And that very habit is a source of suffering.

There’s a word in Buddhism: mufunbetsu-chi 無分別智—the wisdom of non-discrimination.

It points to a pure way of seeing, before the mind divides and defines.

The first step is noticing our own judgments.

And in that noticing, space opens up.

Releasing Attachment, Finding Lightness

When we let go of the urge to control and rest in this very moment, the heart becomes lighter. We begin to move in rhythm with the natural flow of life.

Letting be is a form of loving attention.

It means offering care when needed,

but trusting the natural intelligence of healing and balance.

Our heart knows how to return to harmony—

and when we trust that, the true nature of people and situations begins to reveal itself.

It is a quiet, powerful form of trust.

Inner Healing and Awakening

Trusting the natural healing process.

Welcoming reality as it is.

And gently releasing ourselves from the story we’ve crafted—

the one built from control and striving.

In that release, we return to something simple, whole, and abundant.

Contentment is the greatest wealth.

Simply Noticing, Without Being Pulled In

Thoughts and feelings will arise.

But we don’t have to be swept away by them.

Just notice.

And let them be.

That is the heart of the practice of leaving it and letting be.

That is the practice of sonomama.

Thoughts and emotions appear like clouds in the sky—

naturally forming, naturally passing.

We simply witness them come and go.

Let It Be, Gently

Before rushing to fix or change anything in life,

pause—and gently let it be.

From that very moment,

change has already begun.

Leave it gently.

It’s okay.

You are okay.

Things will work out.

His name is ZEN.

Words and photo by K E I K O