08:47

Releasing Fear, Releasing Control

by Courtney Elmer

Rated
4.7
Type
guided
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
11.3k

This meditation approaches fear from a safe and loving place. Join me as we unpack the relationship between fear and the human need to control. I will guide you to a place of calm, compassionate understanding, and love for the self. Practice this meditation when you are feeling anxious or trying to control a situation. No experience in meditation required, just sit back and allow yourself to be guided.

FearControlLetting GoPresent MomentAnxietyGratitudeSelf CompassionCalmCompassionLoveBeginnerPresent Moment AwarenessAnxiety Reduction

Transcript

Today on The Effortless Life,

Regaining Control.

I know you're afraid of what might happen.

I know you fear losing control.

I know you try and control the outcome because this is how you protect yourself from pain.

I know at times the what-ifs consume you,

Overwhelm you,

Paralyze you.

So you do everything in your power to manage each micro-detail so that the worst doesn't happen.

I also know how exhausting it is to live this way,

How it robs you of experiencing deep joy in the present moment.

How can you enjoy the moment when your mind is so busy,

Worrying about the myriad possible futures you imagine,

Devising plans to prevent the possibility of future pain?

But these plans are fragile.

The future pain you fear is but a construct of your mind.

It does not exist here,

Now.

See?

Look around you.

That future you fear is not here in this moment,

Or in this moment,

Or in this moment.

It's been said that anxiety is merely the habit of crossing bridges before you get to them.

Imagine what would become possible in your life if you stop running ahead.

Stop.

Breathe.

Just breathe.

You are here.

And you are safe.

You notice now how your tendency to attend to the littlest of details is masking your deeper fear of losing control.

And the energy that leaves your body when this happens is merely because your hands,

Your heart,

Is tired of holding on so tightly.

Can you release your grip?

The key to letting go is noticing when you're holding on.

You regain control by releasing your grip.

Release your grip.

What is it you're holding on to?

How would it feel to release your grip,

Even if only a little?

Release your hands.

Now loosen them.

See,

You are safe.

How does it feel to loosen your grip even more knowing that the more you release,

The more you make room for miracles to enter your life?

Breathe and release.

Notice how your attempt to control the future was merely the future controlling you.

Let it go.

Feel the relief wash over you.

Feel the peace flood your body.

The desire to cling to what you know is natural.

It's normal,

But it doesn't serve you.

Take a look around now and notice if any fear is present.

If none is there,

Breathe and thank this former fear for being your teacher.

And if any fear remains,

Look at it.

See it.

What is it,

Specifically,

That you feel afraid of?

See how it controls you.

But my dear one,

You are stronger.

What lesson is this fear teaching you?

Notice the lesson now.

This lesson is what this fear has been trying to teach you,

But you were too busy trying to avoid the fear to notice it.

Thank your fear for this lesson.

Thank it for teaching you what you needed to know.

Now let this fear go.

Notice how your heart now swells with love and gratitude.

There is room there now for love because the fear is gone.

Bless and release this fear as you gently say to yourself,

I am safe.

I am grateful for the lesson that I am learning.

Looking at this fear through the eyes of love,

I release the need to hold onto it.

I am free.

Now take a deep breath,

Savoring what it feels like to live in the present moment.

Using these words,

Rely on me,

Allow me to help you,

Lean into my love.

It is safe to trust me.

Trust me.

Let go just a little more and I will feel you more.

The more room you make for me,

The more I can feel you and the more you will experience my love.

I have found great favor with you dear one.

Go forth in love and be at peace.

Meet your Teacher

Courtney ElmerNew Orleans, LA, USA

4.7 (969)

Recent Reviews

Susan

September 16, 2025

Amazing 🀩 Just what I need at the moment, while preparing for a surgery. Thank you 🌹

Kerri

July 17, 2025

Great gentle guidance to ease you into reflection thank you πŸ™πŸ»

Kathryn

February 28, 2025

I really needed to hear this. I’ll be saving it to come back to often. Thank you πŸ™πŸ»

Jaz

January 15, 2025

Love this! β€œIt’s the future controlling us when we try to control the future. The future we fear is not in this moment right now.”

Nicholas

January 11, 2025

Exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you

Tomer

January 3, 2025

One of the best meditations that I have done here

Alice

September 19, 2024

I love this meditation. I’ve already listened to it three times. Saying to the fear, thank you for the lesson. Thank you for what you taught me. That feels so positive. I don’t know if I can do it all the time… But if I can do it some of the time that’s a huge shift thank you.πŸ’™πŸ¦‹πŸ©΅πŸ¦‹πŸ’™πŸ¦‹πŸ©΅πŸ¦‹πŸ’™πŸ¦‹πŸ©΅πŸ¦‹πŸ’™

Astrid

February 21, 2024

Blessed be dear soul. Loved this meditation β€οΈπŸ™β€οΈ

Kay

January 4, 2024

Very helpful, since I’m projecting on worrying health issues. Soothing voice, and calming words. Thanks πŸ™

Jeff

November 16, 2023

Thank you! This meditation hit home on a very deep level. You described me to a T. I will come back to this again and again. Outstanding.

Natalie

October 31, 2023

fantastic!!!

Richard

October 25, 2023

Perfect

Lisa

September 20, 2023

That was really amazing and so insightful. Just what I needed. Thank you!!!

Susan

July 16, 2023

Really helps you work helpful to things out that you didn’t even realize you needed to! Great meditation thank you just what I needed to hear.

Doreen

July 1, 2023

Okay, that was ahhhhmazing!!! That resonated with me because of your warm delivery. You felt like the comfort of a dear friend. A thousand thanks! My heart feels lighter. βœ¨πŸ’›βœ¨

Terry

May 28, 2023

Very helpful!

Elise

September 1, 2022

Wonderful meditation, very powerful

Rae

July 26, 2022

Epic

Vie

July 9, 2022

I felt God' s presence in this meditation

Carly

July 9, 2022

Helpful practice thank you

More from Courtney Elmer

Loading...

Related Meditations

Loading...

Related Teachers

Loading...
Β© 2025 Courtney Elmer. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

How can we help?

Sleep better
Reduce stress or anxiety
Meditation
Spirituality
Something else