We are programmed to acquire. The enlightened ones acquire knowledge. The capitalists acquire wealth. The politicians acquire power. In this journey, we acquire ego.

Humans, with this intrinsic programming of acquisition, don’t know what to do when they have to let go.

Politicians dont want to let go of their seats. CEOs dont want to let go of their opinions.

Even as the scriptures have told us to leave the “moh maya”, we dont know how.

But, in death, we have to learn to let go. In the recognition that life is finite, we have to learn to leave our bodies behind. In ageing parents, we have to accept that their time will also come, and that we have to leave the pallu that always gave us strength.

Moksha for Lord Buddha came from being able to give up everything. I am far from that. But maybe I can also learn to give up some things, to re-program my mind to stop acquiring, and to start letting go.

When I can let go, then Mihir will fly the coop, without a tear in his eye and pain in my heart. When I can let go, I will come to terms that mom and dad are not with us.

I need to acquire the ability to let go. I need to let go of my programming to acquire.

In loosing, I will gain.