You might say that letting go is a big part of Right Effort, and it’s only one aspect of it. Right Effort, of the Noble Eightfold Path, actually involves four main endeavors; namely, to prevent unwholesome states from arising, to let go of unwholesome states once they have arisen, to cultivate wholesome states, and to maintain those wholesome states once arisen. 

In recovery, we can see how skillful this approach is. We know that unwholesome states such as reactivity and resentment can lead back to unskillful habits like self-loathing, isolation, acting out or even relapse into our old harmful addictions. Just as importantly, cultivating states like generosity, patience, and kindness can move us towards more connection, and possibly contentment, belonging, and even joy. 

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