Surrender may be one of the most misunderstood terms of the spiritual path. It is often understood as giving up or being passive. But actually, spiritual surrender is acceptance. It’s acceptance of what our own present reality. From that space, taking action becomes far more rational.
To surrender in spirituality and religion means that a believer completely gives up his own will and subjects his thoughts, ideas, and deeds to the will of a higher power. Surrender is wilful acceptance and yielding to a dominating force and their will.
Spiritual surrender to our lives is a profound space of acceptance. We stop putting our filter of what we want onto life, and we fully accept what Is. This is amazing because it can transform our lives almost instantaneously. Some of us will wonder if this is a spiritual awakening. It’s more like a teaser, although for some it can be the spark for awakening our energy. But we will start to see clearly what’s right in our life for us and what needs to change. This isn’t being thought of in the same ego judgment way. There’s always ego in saying something is “right” or “wrong,” but that’s not a bad thing when it comes from a deeper acceptance of what Is. We say to yourself, “Oh this really is a crime-ridden neighbourhood, and it isn’t good for us. We need to move.” We say this now instead of deluding yourself with the idea that it will improve or is improving. We see what things really are the more we surrender our ideas about what we want.
And once again surrender isn’t passive. We can see where we need to take action. It becomes increasingly clear where we need to change and do things. The spiritual path is never one that simply allows itself to be run over by everyone else — although it can look that way to a lot of egos at first. Actually, surrendering to reality is immensely powerful.
Let go of what you cannot control. There’s a deeper flow in life. When we surrender to that flow, to the Divine flow, we can be pulled along. It can make life so much easier, but we still need our paddle. We still must steer our little boats so we don’t run aground or hit rocks in the river bottom. It is, however, far easier than trying to avoid the flow (sitting on the riverbank wondering why we never get anywhere) or trying to paddle against it. So, we learn to accept how things are and surrender to these currents.
So, don’t think of surrender as giving up. Think of surrender as a call to see life clearly and a call to the most profound and sacred action possible.