How does a Buddhist make use of the aphorism "Let go and let God?"
Liên Shutt shares a deeply personal and reflective talk centered around the phrase "Let Go and Let God," inspired by a cross-stitch left by her adoptive mother. Drawing from both her Buddhist and Christian influences, Liên explores how this phrase bridges her upbringing with her Zen practice. She reflects on the pain and insight of not resonating with Christianity while appreciating how her mother's deep faith comforted her.
Liên uses this as a springboard to delve into the spiritual dynamics of “letting go”—not in a passive sense, but as a practice of releasing control and embracing a deeper trust in the unknown, often referred to in Zen as the absolute. This becomes a metaphor for spiritual maturity and balance between effort and surrender.
She further enriches the talk by introducing key Buddhist ideas:
- Relative vs. Absolute: The “G” (relative, rational thinking) and the “Re” (absolute, intuitive knowing).
- Sandokai teaching: A Zen poem describing the harmony between difference and equality.
- Hand-wringing metaphor: A symbol of inner turmoil that contrasts with the calming practice of presence and receptivity.
- Cosmic mudra: A meditation hand gesture that balances tension and ease.
Through touching stories—including coming out to her parents—Liên models how negotiation between personal truth and inherited beliefs can lead to healing and connection. The talk wraps with a heartfelt tribute to her mother, affirming the universal longing for connection through love, whether it’s God, Dharma, or simply being seen.
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Liên Shutt (she/they) is a priest lineage holder in the Shunryu Suzuki tradition. Born to a Buddhist family in Vietnam, she received her meditation training in the Insight and Soto Zen traditions in the U.S., Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. She was a founding member of the Buddhists of Color in 1998 and currently is the guiding teacher of Access to Zen, an inclusive, anti-oppression sangha and non-profit in the SF Bay Area. She lives on Ohlone land, currently called San Francisco, with her partner, exploring waterways and forests as often as they can.
Visit https://accesstozen.org/ for ways to connect and practice together.
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CREDITS
Audio Engineer: George Hubbard
Producer: Tom Bruein
Music/Logo/Artwork: Derek Lassiter
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