Trying Too Hard Makes You Fail: The Science of Letting Go
The student who is terrified of failing the exam often makes silly mistakes.
More you emphasize on importance of exam, there are more chances of developing fear for exam
The guy desperate for a girlfriend usually repels everyone.
The employee begging for a promotion gets ignored.
Why does this happen? Why does "wanting it bad" often push the goal away?
Explanation lies in Advaita Vendata backed by modern Quantum Physics (specifically the work of Vadim Zeland). It turns out, "Letting Go" isn't just spiritual advice for monks/rishis in the Himalayas.
"Letting go" is a mechanical necessity for getting what you want.
Here is the simple science behind it.
1. The Mirror World: The Quantum Discovery
Vadim Zeland, a quantum physicist, proposed a concept called the Space of Variations. Imagine a giant, infinite warehouse that contains every possible version of your life. There is a version where you are a CEO, a version where you are struggling, and a version where you are happy.
Zeland says reality is like a Dual Mirror.
On one side is the physical world.
On the other side is the "image" formed by your thoughts.
The Catch: The mirror has a delay. If you stand in front of a mirror and frown, the reflection frowns. If you stand in front of life and worry (frown), reality reflects more things to worry about.
The Vedantic View: This is exactly what Vedanta calls Maya (Illusion) and Jiva-Sristi (Individual Creation). This exact mechanism was described centuries ago by Adi Shankaracharya. In the Dakshinamurthy Stotram, he sings:
"Viswam dhrushyamana nagari tulyam nizantargatam" (The universe is like a city seen in a mirror, existing within oneself but appearing as if outside).
Just like Zeland’s "Dual Mirror," Shankaracharya explains that the world you see "out there" is actually a reflection of what is "in here." The world doesn't just "happen" to you; your mind projects your reality. As the Drishti (Vision), so is the Srishti (Creation).
Modern Analogy: The VR Goggles Think of life like a high-tech Virtual Reality game. You are wearing the "Body-Mind" goggles. The game looks 100% real—the pain, the stress, the exams. But Vedanta says, You are not the character in the game; you are the Player wearing the goggles. When you realize it's just a simulation (Maya), you stop panicking and start playing better.
2. The Trap of "Excess Potential" (Why Stress Backfires)
This is the most important concept for Indian students and professionals.
Zeland explains that nature loves balance. If you build up too much energy in one spot, nature sends a "Balancing Force" to flatten it.
The Science: When you say, "I must crack this exam or my life is over," you create a massive spike of energy called Excess Potential. You have made the exam too "important."
The Result: To restore balance, nature has to knock down that importance. The easiest way to do that? Make you fail. Once you fail, the tension is gone. The Balancing Force has done its job.
The Vedantic View: Raga vs. Vairaga Vedanta explains this through Raga (Attachment) and Vairaaga (A Specialised/Purposeful Attachment).
Raga (Bad Attachment): This is the sticky, desperate "I need this result" feeling. It creates fear. This corresponds to Excess Potential.
Vairaga (A Specialised/Purposeful Attachment): This is having right understanding on the purpose, knowing the big picture and practical expectation. You study because you love the subject, not because you fear the result. You know result is temporary
Example: Think of Sachin Tendulkar. When he played his best innings, was he worrying about the score? No. He was in the "Zone". If he had been trembling with fear about winning (Raga/Excess Potential), he would have gotten out.
The "Fly in the Window" vs. The "Open Door" Zeland uses a great example: Imagine a fly bashing its head against a glass window, trying to get out. That is Internal Intention (Force/Struggle). It works hard but gets nowhere. Now imagine looking to the side and seeing an open door. You simply fly through it. That is External Intention (Letting Go). You don't force the world; you just align with the path that is already open.
Instead of Raga /Anuraga one should develop Vairaga. Vairaga is nothing but "Specialized Raaga" i.e. knowing what object could deliver and only expecting what it can deliver. For example, you understand car is going to make your journey comfortable nothing more or nothing less. if car doesn't work you look for alternative to make your journey comfortable but your heart is not going to break.
3. The "Pendulum" Trap: Are You Being Farmed?
We often feel drained by society. "Log Kya Kahenge?" (What will people say?) is the soundtrack of middle-class India.
Zeland calls these social structures Pendulums. A Pendulum is a collective thought-form—like a political party, a trend, or the pressure to get married by 25.
A Pendulum feeds on your energy.
It doesn't care if you support it or fight it. Fear and Anger both feed the Pendulum.
Example: When your relatives compare you to "Sharma Ji Ka Beta," that is a Pendulum swinging.
If you get angry: You feed the Pendulum energy.
If you feel sad: You feed the Pendulum energy.
The "Traffic Jam" Test A common Indian example is traffic. When you get stuck in a jam and start honking, screaming, and cursing, you are feeding the "Traffic Pendulum." The jam doesn't clear, but you are exhausted. The Fix: Accept the jam. Listen to music. Observe it. The moment you stop fighting the reality, you stop leaking energy.
The Vedantic View: Vedanta calls this Samsara (The Cycle). The world tries to hook you with praise and blame. The solution is Vairagya (Dispassion and special/correct understanding) and being a Sakshi (Witness). When a relative annoys you, be a Witness. Watch them like you are watching a TV serial. Don't react. If you don't give them your emotion, the Pendulum stops swinging.
4. The Solution: How to Let Go
So, how do we actually "let go" without becoming lazy?
Step 1: Understand big picture and Dont over emphasize the Importance (The Safety Net) Understand what is the real purpose, where it fits in your life. What are the alternatives. Tell yourself, "If I don't get this job, I will still be alive. I will find another way." Once you accept the worst, the Excess Potential collapses. The "Balancing Forces" stop attacking you. Ironically, this makes it easier to get the job! This is different from stopping to put effort. Not putting effort because it is not important is laziness. No Option will work for people who are lazy so don't apply this philosophy to avoid effort.
Step 2: Convert Raga into Vairaga Stop obsessing over the destination (Raga). Fall in love with the journey (Anuraga) and apply vairaga to get understanding/utility of it.
Don't study for the rank; study for the knowledge. Understand Rank is only temporary knowledge is going to give long term result.
Don't work for the promotion; work for excellence. Reward could be delayed but it would definitely come for people who work for excellence.
The "Restaurant Menu" Mindset Zeland says: Treat life like a restaurant. When you go to a hotel, do you run to the kitchen and beg the chef for food? Do you get angry that the menu has dishes you don't like? No. You simply open the menu, ignore what you don't want, and choose what you want. You wait calmly, knowing it will be served. Apply this: Don't beg the universe for a job. Don't fight the rejection. Just place your order (Intention) and wait with the confidence of a customer, not a beggar.
Step 3: Rent Yourself Out, You are there to do your duty not to control result. Gita over and over emphasize this. Zeland also suggesting the same, acting like you have "rented" yourself to your job or social role. Perform your duty perfectly (Dharma), but internally, know that you are just an actor playing a role. This is the essence of Karma Yoga.
Summary
Science and Spirituality agree: Desperation repels success.
Zeland: Lower the Importance. Don't create Excess Potential. Use the "Open Door."
Vedanta: Practice Vairagya. Be a Witness (Sakshi) to the Traffic and Pendulums.
Vendata does have more elaborate and vast resources which can give practical framework around this.
Life is like holding sand. Squeeze it too tight (Attachment), and it slips through your fingers. Hold your hand open (Letting Go), and it stays.
Alert: Laziness and not doing is not same as letting go. Dont misuse this concept to substantiate inaction.
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