The word surrender can have negative connotations because in some cases people associate it with weakness or losing. If you check out Merriam Webster’s simple definition you might see why.
“to agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting, etc., because you know that you will not win or succeed”
This is the definition most of us identify with. If we delve deeper and reframe our interpretation of it, we can learn why so often when we do surrender, the real magic happens.
As a teacher of yoga, I turn to the wisdom of that tradition first when grappling with anything.
Starting with yoga as the foundation for interpretation, let’s examine surrender within Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the 8 Limb Path. The first 2 limbs are the Yamas and the Niyamas. 5 moral constraints and 5 moral observances.
The fifth of the moral observances is surrender to the Divine (Isvara pranidhana).
You can interpret this to be as much about devoting your life to God as recognizing your own innate divinity and surrendering to your highest Self. In other words, trusting your inner wisdom.
To get tuned in to that wisdom however is a process that starts with BEING rather than DOING.
When things are not going exactly as planned in life and we are challenged, it can be our human nature to jump in and just DO for the sake of doing.
We find ourselves forcing, pushing, rushing, trying to control things, and, desperately hoping to predict the future while doing it all with resistance.
This is my M.O. and it tends to be how much of Western culture respond to adversity.
This is when the act of surrender is key; knowing when to let go and yes, let God. Not just an external deity figure, but your own divine wisdom.
With that in mind you can begin to explore how to practice surrender while still being the architect of your life and staying in action.
When I thought about how to practice this kind of surrender to the divine in the context of purposeful 21st century living I boiled it down to 5 Steps
1. Be Still
Slow down, rest, meditate, and allow for space.
2. Increase Awareness:
Examine what is really going on through self study. Identify the belief or the emotion that might be at the root of the problem. This is usually easier done with someone there to assist, guide and reflect back whether it’s a professional or trusted friend, although a certified practitioner will be accelerate the process.
3. Accept
Lean into and accept what you uncovered in your discovery process. It is a part of you and you have to accept it fully and feel into the full range of it to get the lessons and learnings it has to offer before you can be ready to let it go.
4. Release aka Let Go
Be willing to let go of your baggage. Now that you that you have identified the source of the struggle and you have embraced its lessons let yourself release it.
5. Reclaim your power:
Trust the inner wisdom of your unconscious mind and its connection to Higher Consciousness. Allow it to guide your actions. From a space of clarity and congruence get into that action and have faith. Without attachment to outcome keep your focus on your intention.
The gift of the human experience is that we get opportunities to practice and master the art of surrender for a lifetime.
So trust the process, believe in yourself, and know that you certainly aren’t on this journey alone.
Having ongoing support and guidance is the key success and mastery of anything.
I am here for you.
Shoot me a note and we’ll connect.
From my heart to yours faithfully…
Namaste,
Pegah
