Why is it that at some point spiritual literature always mentions a need for surrender? We are told to “let go”. What does it mean to surrender and let go? Does it mean simply to give up, stuffing our emotions and concerns down deep, and just biting our tongue when disturbing events happen? If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that our primary response to reading about surrender is FEAR. “What…after all my years of meditation, reading, classes, and believing that I must surely now be ready for ascension, I am now expected to just let it all go? What will happen to the person (me) that I know and love? What does surrender mean? Why would I want to surrender? What the heck am I surrendering? Is this annihilation?”
Spiritual surrender is not blind resignation to whatever comes along in our lives-good or bad. Spiritual surrender is the letting go of all that is not real through the realization of what is real and what is not. The idea of spiritual surrender does not even present itself to an individual until they are spiritually prepared which means having attained a level of awareness that is able to understand that the surrender of favorite concepts and false beliefs is a necessary step in the spiritual journey. For years most spiritual students have enjoyed reading metaphysics, going to discussion groups and classes, and practicing the latest rituals or techniques guaranteed to bring one closer to God. However, there comes a point in the initiate’s journey when they must stop “talking the talk” and begin to “walk the walk” and this is where spiritual surrender enters in.
As human beings living in third dimensional energy (duality and separation) we have all had lifetimes in which we learned to stand firm on certain issues, only surrendering our opinions, beliefs, concepts, or ways of seeing something after much analysis and the consensus of “experts”. Spiritually surrender is impossible while still engaged with the tools and games of the third dimension because they represent and can rise not higher than current three dimensional concepts of coping, survival, and living. Spiritual surrender means evolving to a place within ourselves in which we are able and willing to let go of all that is based in the old energy in order that we might move into what is real, that which is beyond duality and separation. It is the attainment of an ability to see the real behind appearances and not respond but instead rest in trust, surrender, and let go of the old.
This spiritual surrender indicates a willingness to leave behind all that no longer serves us. Our reactions to words, pictures, ideas, and world events become indicators that prompt us to ask ourselves; “What am I believing that is causing me to feel this way?” It can be as benign as not liking the dress someone is wearing. In and of itself the dress is nothing, but if I am labeling its wearer as good or bad because of it, I am in third dimensional energy (duality and separation). It is important to remember that every individual is entitled to their preferences, but preferences are not judgments. “The dress is very interesting, unusual…It would not be my choice…” instead of “She has no sense of style.” It is our conscious withdrawal of power from anything outside of us; all persons, places, or things to which we have in the past, given power to. Surrender means getting out of the way and allowing Source/God, my true essence, to live and express ITself in, as, and through me.
The false concepts and beliefs of the third dimensional collective consciousness are always impersonal but become ours when we accept them as ours. “What am I still holding as truth that was originally given me a teacher, parents, the experts, friends, or religious doctrine? In the light of what I realize to be spiritual truth, are these beliefs still relevant ?” Honest self-questioning takes the seeker deep within allowing recognize the outgrown beliefs. These beliefs can be as benign as believing that one can only serve turkey for Thanksgiving, or as non-benign as intense hatred toward a certain race. Each person must determine where their belief system has become obsolete for themselves, no one can do this for us because even if another’s clear vision is correct, we ourselves must recognize it before we can change. There is a book called; “My Stroke of Insight” by Jill Bolte Taylor who suffered a stroke and writes about it. In her narrative, she minutely examines the antics of her left brain and how easily we get caught in “mind games”. Eckart Tolle also examines this subject, especially in his book; “Practicing the Power of Now”.
Ego is simply that aspect of us that believes itself separate from Source and with all living things. The ego self must be protected and validated, eternally struggling through life for survival. The bottom line of third dimensional belief system is, “You will never be good enough.” That is how human beings acquired their sense of insecurity and the need to defend the ego in the false belief that represents the fullness of who they are. As we spiritually evolve into an understanding of who and what we really are, the need to protect who we thought we were disappears. We now realize that the I that I really am needs no protection. I am all that is, now-not after I die and pass a judgment in which I may or may not get admitted to some three dimensional concept of “heaven”.
The ego survives through beliefs and concepts that remain valid for many, but as we move into new and higher frequencies of Truth we no longer need them and these once vital tools become obsolete . We are graduating!
Spiritual surrender is a conscious choice to release all that has kept us in bondage to the three dimensional belief system through the realization of the omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent Divinity within that is our true Self. “I am able to surrender because I now realize that IT knows where I belong, when, and how to get me there. It will manifest ITself through me as my highest good, being the very substance of my very Selfhood.
Through the conscious releasing of all that we have spiritually outgrown in our belief system we begin to lose our fears and move into trust. The process happens without our having to say a holy word, burn a candle, chant a chant, or follow a guru in spite of what the third dimensional world around us may try and make us believe. Our only job is to choose and intend to spiritually evolve. Our personal journey then begins, for we, (not something or someone outside of ourselves), are the creators of our lives. The Universe hears us and the “train leaves the station”.
Spiritual surrender takes courage and is not for the faint hearted. At some point we must ask ourselves; “Is there a Source/God/Creator or is there not?” If there is, then I must be in and of it, for there could be nothing separate from Omnipresence and it would be very wise then, to move toward, rest in, and surrender to it.
6-14-09