Saying “yes” can represent a real inner upheaval, because it involves a profound transformation of our relationship with our thoughts, our emotions and reality as it is. This attitude is at the heart of many spiritual and psychological approaches that seek to cultivate acceptance and mindfulness. Here is a detailed explanation:
Saying “yes”: what does that mean?
Saying “yes” does not mean approving or agreeing with everything that happens, but rather accepting reality as it is, without mental or emotional resistance.
It comes down to accepting things, emotions and situations as they appear, instead of fighting against them or wanting them to be different.
Example: An emotion like sadness may arise. Saying “yes” means welcoming it, without trying to reject it, deny it or run away from it. You acknowledge, “It’s there. I accept it.”
Why does this disrupt our emotional and mental habits?
Our usual habits are often based on:
- Control: We try to control situations and emotions so that they match our expectations.
- Resistance: We say “no” to what bothers us or what seems uncomfortable.
- Judgment: We label experiences as “good” or “bad,” which amplifies our suffering.
Saying “yes” reverses these patterns. This requires:
- To let go of control.
- To abandon resistance to what is uncomfortable.
- To look at reality without judgment, with openness.
The benefits of “yes”
Inner appeasement: Saying “yes” puts an end to the inner struggle, because we no longer waste energy resisting or avoiding certain experiences.
Emotional Clarity: By fully accepting our emotions, they flow more freely instead of stagnating or escalating.
Increased presence: By saying “yes” to what is, we anchor ourselves in the present moment, without being lost in the past or the future.
The big upheaval: why is it difficult?
Our conditioning: Since childhood, we learn to reject what we dislike and to fight to modify reality.
Fear: Saying “yes” to an unpleasant experience can seem threatening, as if it means it will last or get worse.
The ego: It constantly seeks to improve, control or escape, rather than simply accepting.
Learning to say “yes” therefore requires dismantling these conditionings. It may be uncomfortable at first, but it’s liberating in the long run.
How to practice “yes”?
Observe without judgment: When a thought or emotion arises, instead of reacting, observe it. For example, tell yourself, “I feel angry, and that’s OK.”
Feel fully: If an unpleasant feeling arises, instead of running away from it, stay with it, breathe, and allow it to exist.
Question your resistance: Ask yourself: “What makes me say no? What if I let it be?”
Practice gratitude: Even when faced with difficult situations, look for what they can teach you. Saying “yes” also means recognizing that every experience has value.
Saying “yes” does not mean giving up actionAttention : accepter la réalité ne signifie pas devenir passif. Dire “oui” à ce qui est maintenant permet de répondre à la situation depuis un espace de clarté et de sérénité, plutôt que depuis la résistance ou la peur.
Example: If you experience injustice, saying “yes” to your feelings (anger, frustration) does not mean tolerating the injustice. It simply allows you to see the situation as it is and act more effectively.
In summary
Saying “yes” is a radical act of acceptance, one that disrupts our mental and emotional habits by freeing us from control, resistance and judgment. It is an invitation to welcome life in all its richness and contrasts, to live each moment fully and to find lasting inner peace.