What We Push Away Pushes Back

What We Push Away Pushes Back

From WITH LOVE, DANIELLE by Danielle LaPorte

January 23, 2026 · 19 min · Episode 216

About this episode

Danielle LaPorte discusses the importance of embracing desires and pain rather than pushing them away, introducing concepts from her forthcoming book.

The physics of letting go… and wanting what's meant for you. For a decade, I thought letting go of my worldly desires would bring me peace. I was wrong. I used spiritual perfectionism to hurt myself. I guilt-tripped myself for having "unspiritual" feelings. I romanticized renunciation while still wanting to host dinner parties at the monastery. Then I figured it out… What we push away pushes back and gets stronger. What we embrace transforms and strengthens us. This is the introduction to my forthcoming book, Bless and Release: The physics of letting go—and wanting what's meant for you . With love, Danielle In this episode: Why people who let go with ease are more joyful (they don't avoid pain—they bless it) The spiritually romanticized torture I put myself through How I stopped criticizing myself for having "unspiritual" feelings The Bless Practice: heart-centered energy work you can do in 90 seconds What happens when you stop pushing away the pain and chasing the desires Why we're turning to AI for spiritual direction (please stop) The radical truth: instead of repressing suffering, bring it in closer—and bless it Pre-order the audiobook and get early access to BTS content…

People in this episode

Host: Danielle LaPorte

Topics covered

  • personal growth
  • letting go
  • spirituality
  • self-acceptance
  • emotional healing
  • energy work

Keywords

  • letting go
  • spiritual perfectionism
  • emotional pain
  • Bless Practice
  • self-criticism
  • AI and spirituality

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Bless and Release

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