As the world celebrates World Philosophy Day on Thursday 16th November, a poignant quote attributed to the 13th-century poet Rumi resonates deeply with the essence of the human experience: “Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.”
World Philosophy Day, celebrated annually on the third Thursday of November by UNESCO, underscores the enduring value of philosophy in shaping human thought, culture, and individual lives. This profound truth transcends the boundaries of personal relationships, career trajectories, and spiritual quests, encapsulating the dual nature of existence.
At its core, Rumi’s quote invites us to explore the delicate equilibrium between holding on and letting go. Holding on symbolises perseverance, commitment, and the nurturing of connections. It encompasses cherishing memories, upholding values, and staying true to personal goals and beliefs.
In relationships, holding on entails weathering challenges, providing support, and valuing the bonds that tie us together. Professionally, it involves dedication to one’s career, skill development, and the relentless pursuit of goals.
Letting go is the art of releasing what no longer serves us. It acknowledges the impermanence of life and embraces change. Letting go could mean freeing oneself from relationships which no longer serve us, toxic work environments, outdated beliefs, or past hurts and grievances. This process requires forgiveness, acceptance, and the courage to move forward.
In a spiritual context, my interpretation of Rumi’s quote is that letting go often signifies detachment from materialistic desires and ego, aiming for a higher state of consciousness and inner peace. The key lies in finding the delicate balance between these two aspects. Holding on too tightly can lead to rigidity, an inability to adapt, and unnecessary suffering when change is inevitable.
Letting go too easily might result in a lack of direction, superficial relationships, and missed opportunities. Rumi’s words encourage introspection, urging us to evaluate what we cling to and what we should release.
Rumi’s quote also delves into the concept of mindfulness and the protection of our mental health—a call to be present and aware of our choices. Mindful holding on involves a conscious understanding of why we choose to retain certain elements in our lives. Mindful letting go requires noticing when releasing something is more beneficial than holding onto it.
Rumi’s wisdom guides us towards an equilibrium in life, prompting us to discern when to fight for what we love and believe in and when to allow the flow of life to lead us to new experiences and growth.
This balance is not static; it evolves with life’s changing circumstances and our personal growth. What we hold onto during one phase of life might be precisely what we need to let go of in another.
As an advocate for mental health and through my own practise in martial arts and becoming a black belt in Karate, philosophy is something I cherish deeply as both an inspiring discipline and an everyday practice, it has the power to transform societies.
By exposing us to the diversity of intellectual currents worldwide, philosophy stimulates intercultural dialogue. It awakens minds to the exercise of critical thinking and reasoned confrontation of opinions, fostering a more tolerant and respectful society. Through these means, philosophy equips us to understand and address major contemporary challenges, creating the intellectual conditions necessary for positive change.
As we celebrate World Philosophy Day, let’s embrace Rumi’s timeless wisdom, recognising the profound significance of finding balance in holding on and letting go—a philosophy that transcends cultures and speaks to the universal human experience.
Sarimah Ibrahim
Sarimah Ibrahim is of Irish Malay heritage, a native bilingual English and Malay speaking international screen actress, television host and broadcaster known for winning the Malaysian Emmy equivalent of “Best Breakthrough Artist of the Year”.
With a dozen film, theatre and TV roles under her belt she made history as the first-ever female host on Disney Channel Asia and became the inaugural host of ‘The Biggest Loser: Asia’s debut season. She is the only Malaysian female celebrity featured on CNN’s Go travel feature, proving that her star is on the rise.
She has been practising martial arts since the age of 9 and has a keen interest in philosophy and mental health.
