🔭 The Present Perspective Newsletter

🤔 Why is it so hard to let things go?

Sometimes it’s not the event itself that keeps us stuck, but the way the mind keeps circling it long after it has passed.
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We explore why letting go is not something we can force, and what begins to shift when we stop fighting reality.

“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” — Paulo Coelho

Dear Reader
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"Just let it go."

It’s one of those things people say with the best of intentions, but when something is really sitting heavily with us, it rarely helps.

If anything, it can make us feel worse.

Because if we could simply decide to stop thinking about something, we would.

We would stop replaying the conversation.

Stop going over what we should have said.

Stop wanting something to have not happened.

Stop wishing someone had acted differently.

Stop imagining a different ending.

And yet the mind keeps circling back...

Often what keeps us stuck in these loops is not the situation itself (although our mind will tell us exactly that), but our ongoing struggle with the fact that it happened at all.

A part of us is still pushing against reality.

• We want the past to be different
• We want someone to understand
• We want life to be different from what it is.

Sometimes we think that going over it one more time will somehow help.

That if we think hard enough, analyse it enough, or revisit it enough, we’ll find peace.

But usually the opposite happens:

• Our mind gets heavier and tighter
• Our body feels more tense and dense
• Our world seems to get very small
• We feel trapped.

Going over the event is like keeping your hand in a tightly closed fist.

At first it feels necessary, or even protective.

But after a while, it becomes painful.

This is where mindfulness can help, by helping us notice the pain that holding on causes.
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We do this by:
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1. Noticing when we are replaying a situation in our head that is driving us mad, and then
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2. Focusing on what our body feels like when we are replaying the situation.

Where do you feel it in the body?

• Maybe it’s a heaviness in your chest
• A knot in your stomach
• Tension in your shoulders or jaw
• Maybe your breathing is shallow, or you are holding your breath
• You feel tense or constricted all over.

When we stop feeding the story for a moment and simply feel the impact of it somatically—in our body—something softens.

We start to feel the cost of holding on. The pain of the closed fist.

And often when we do that, we naturally relax, open and let go—even just a little bit.
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The tight fist starts to open and we feel the utter relief of this. This relief can often then make further letting go easier because it feels so good.
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We are no longer caught in the 'tight grip' of our mind, the past and the repeating loop in our head.
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When the hand relaxes, there is space, and so to with our minds and state of consciousness.

It's impossible to let go by force.

It happens naturally when we stop resisting what is already true.

There is something deeply relieving about no longer being at war with reality and in a constant debate with ourselves.

The situation may not have changed.

But our relationship to it has.
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And that is what was required.

​Queenstown, New Zealand, 6-Day Meditation and Mindfulness Retreat — Small Group Immersion in Mountain Surroundings​
​29 May – 3 June, 2026​

A carefully curated six-day immersion in mindfulness, movement and mountain landscapes—designed for people who value depth, structure and intentional practice.

Limited to 10 participants, this programme blends our grounded, nature‑based style with a refined flow inspired by Queenstown’s majestic mountains and beautiful Lake Wakatipu.

This exclusive retreat, led by two highly-experienced teachers is for those who value nature, simplicity and evidence‑based mindfulness practices, and who appreciate an intentional, well‑paced journey of transformation.

This retreat includes...

• Daily meditation and mindfulness practice
• Guided mountain and lakeside walks
• Gentle movement and breathwork
• Periods of nourishing silence
• Relaxing spa pool available all day and night
• Community connection and shared meals
• Personalised individual interview with one teacher
• Time for rest, reflection and integration
• Incredible stargazing when conditions are right
• Detoxifying sauna

This is an invitation to slow down, breathe and pay attention—not in a forced way but in a way that brings you home to yourself.

The Location: Ora Retreat, Queenstown

Ora Retreat is a boutique mountain home overlooking Lake Wakatipu —peaceful, welcoming and surrounded by forested hills and alpine views. Guests consistently praise its warmth, comfort and the sense of being “at home” in nature.

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​Book Your Place Now​

Teachers: Kovido Maddick and Eric Chagnon
​Location: Ora Retreat, 26 Arawata Terrace, Sunshine Bay, Queenstown, New Zealand
​Dates: Friday, 29 May – Wednesday, 3 June, 2026​
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💗 The Essence of Self-Love, Premium 6-Day Silent Meditation Retreat, Byron Bay, NSW​ — May and June, 2026​

The Essence of Self-Love Retreats at Sangsurya, Byron Bay are the premium retreat offerings of 2026.
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These retreats feature incredible artisan accommodation, a stunning retreat centre setting and an on-site chef, Todd Stream-Cameron providing world-class meals.
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​Book your place now with a $500 deposit.​
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Teachers: Karl Baker and Stephen Archer
​Location: Sangsurya Retreat Centre, Byron Bay, NSW
​Dates:
​May Retreat: Friday, 8 May – Wednesday, 13 May, 2026
​— SOLD OUT.​
​June Retreat: Friday, 19 June – Wednesday, 24 June, 2026
​— 1 PLACE LEFT.​
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💗 The Ease of Being, Luxury Weekend Retreat, Noosa, 29–31 May​ 2026 ​

When was the last time you truly stopped, breathed, and let yourself simply be?

This premium three-day meditation retreat offers a rare opportunity to step away from the noise and into a world of effortless relaxation, deep presence and quiet luxury.

“The Ease of Being retreat gave me the gift of a weekend filled with peace and calm—time out in a beautiful, natural setting away from the demands of everyday life.” — Christine Donnelly​
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​Book your place now with a $250 deposit.​

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Teacher: Karl Baker
​Location: Senses Beach Rd Holiday Homes, Noosa North Shore
​Date: Friday, 29 May – Sunday, 31 May. ONLY 3 PLACES LEFT.​
​Price: From $895 all inclusive
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​Get one on one, private Mindfulness Coaching​

One on one work with a certified mindfulness teacher can assist with anxiety reduction, improving sleep, reducing over-thinking, improving relationships and making mindfulness a habit in your life.
​

​Find a certified mindfulness teacher to work with now.

🧘‍♀️ Mini Mindfulness Exercise: The Open Hand Practice

Duration: 5 – 10 minutes

Instructions:

Sit comfortably and take a moment to notice what is currently weighing on your mind.

Rather than going into the story, simply name it gently:
​“Worry”​
​“Hurt”​
​“Regret”​
​“Wanting things to be different”

Now bring your attention into the body.

Where do you feel this most strongly?

Perhaps the chest, stomach, throat, shoulders or jaw.

For the next few minutes, rest your attention there.

No need to fix it.
No need to analyse it.

Just notice the physical experience of holding on.

Then gently place one hand open on your lap, palm facing upward.

Let this be a symbol of allowing.

Each breath, silently say:

“This too belongs.”

Stay with the sensations as they rise and fall.

Notice what happens when nothing is being resisted.

Purpose:​
This practice shifts attention from mental looping into direct experience which often softens the nervous system and reduces the momentum of rumination.

🏢 Workplace Mindfulness Training

Nationwide in-person or online mindfulness training for workplaces.
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– Build team mental and emotional resilience.
– Improve mental fitness.
– Reduce burnout with practical strategies.
– Enhance team communication and connection.

​Get a customised program and free quote.
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🤔 Mindful Check-In. Vote to See Results.

Why this reflection matters

Simply naming what we tend to hold onto builds awareness. Awareness is often the first step in loosening the grip and creating more space around our experience.

📝 Mindful Meme of The Week

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