Think about your mind like a lotus flower.
Once the sun warms the outer petals, they will open.
Once the sun warms the next layer of petals, only then will they open up.
And so on for each layer.
If the sun and warmth are interrupted, the whole flower will close and protect itself.
It takes a long time to go through the process of warming, opening each layer to get to the amazing centre of the flower.
Each stage is a layer of letting go.