There is often a mistaken belief that the practice of “renunciation” involves a type of strict repression, denial, or even punishment. But in the Buddhist tradition, it is none of these things.

In fact, the words most often used to describe the result of practicing renunciation (nekkhamma) are: release, freedom, and liberation. The idea is that when we practice letting go, instead of something being lost, something is actually gained.

And, our continued practice of renunciation can lead us to an even greaterhappiness … often called the “sacred dimension of liberation.”

Shell explores this 3rd parami or "perfection" in this 3rd talk in a 11-talk series on the paramis.