Surrender

In Spiritual parlance, we are often told to ‘surrender’

What does 'surrendering’ mean?

I once read that if you have a chipped tile on your ceiling that irritates you.

You can do three things.

You can change the tile, change the room, or accept the broken tile.

In Life, one also has 3 options:

1. Change what one does not like.

2. Give up what one does not like.

3. Accept what one does not like.

This ‘acceptance’ is called ‘surrender’

You will be surprised to learn that many will not take any of the 3 options given above. And you know why? Because they prefer to continue playing the martyr. People like to talk ad nauseam about the problems they have in their lives. Give them the above 3 options and they will not take any because they will not take responsibility for their lives and the outcome of their actions.

Ask yourself: “Are you enjoying what you are doing?”

The reason why you are not enjoying what you are doing may be, because your attention is more focused on the result of your action rather than on the act itself. Which means that you are living more in the future than in the present moment.

Accept the act of the moment. Give it your full awareness! And leave the result at the feet of the Almighty.

Contrary to popular belief ‘surrendering to the situation’ does not imply weakness.

Accepting the role of a martyr does.

The use of brakes is more advisable to save oneself, rather than stepping on the accelerator and charge headlong into a disaster!

Resistance to what is (After having done ones best to change it) gives rise to stress and pain.

This does not mean that one should not do, what one should be doing to improve the situation. But if there is nothing more that can be done on ones part, this moment, then one must go for a walk and enjoy the breeze and the butterflies!

I heard in a lecture : "Jab log poochhey ki kyon hai, to hanskar javaab do, ki bas yoon hai”

Loosely (not literally), it implies to accept the present moment.

When people ask: “Why me?” I say  “Why not you? Who has said that you have immunity towards this problem?”

In the Bhagvad Geeta  Krishna expounds the Supreme Philosophy to Arjuna.

After having explained in detail about the various Paths of Spiritualism: Gyaan (Knowledge) Bhakti (Devotion), Karma and Dhyaan (Meditation). Arjuna is still not clear about his path of action. Krishna then, urges Arjuna to have full faith and surrender.

Krishna promises:  

‘Sarva dharmam, parityajya, maamekam sharanam vraja,
Aham twaa sarva paapebhyo, moksha yishyaami maa shuchah’

Which means: 

Resign all duties and take refuge only in Me.
Grieve not, for I shall absolve you from all sins!

Please note that Krishna wants Arjuna to wage the war, Krishna does not wish that Arjuna ‘escape’ the situation. Krishna advises Arjuna to fight to the best of his capacity and surrender the results to the Lord.

Even in the pursuit of Spiritualism, a pilgrim reaches a point of ‘surrender’

(The following is an excerpt from Shree Morari Bapu’s series of discourses called Nisaadhanta, which I have translated)

‘When a pilgrim feels he has failed after trying every prescribed means to reach the Lord, he cries out in despair. Tears well up in his eyes, and he feels the pangs of separation from the Lord.

He now feels he can do nothing more in his sadhana (Spiritual Pursuit).

This feeling of helplessness when all means fail, Mahaprabhuji calls ‘Nisaadhanta’. Bhagwan Ramanuj calls this state ‘Tap’ and it is called ‘Vyaakulta’ by Caitanya Mahaaprabhu. The devotee now consciously surrenders to the Lord.’

One can surrender to whatever each moment brings. If the moment brings pain or fear, also do not resist it. Watch it and feel it. Without judging.

I have read that negativity is dark. Your Consciousness is light.

Light and darkness cannot coexist.

Deepak Chopra answers:

Q: Does the law of least effort mean that you should give up on your goal if you fail?

A: Definitely not! A setback may only mean that the time is not right for that desire to be fulfilled, or that its fulfillment is occurring where you are not looking.

The law of least effort indicates that success comes not through struggling , but through love and acceptance. 

If you are not achieving your goal, you need to go deeper into your heart.

By doing so, you will spontaneously incorporate the principles of responsibility and defenselessness.

 This will align your goal to be manifested according to your dharma at the right time.

Some examples from the Scriptures:

‘Sharanaagati’ means complete surrender to the Lord. In the Ramayana the Devas prayed to Lord Vishnu to save them from the harassment of the demons, The Devas took ‘Sharanaagati’ and the result was that Lord Vishnu took birth as Lord Ram, the son of  king Dasharath 

Vibhishana, Raavana’s brother was a true Bhakta (devotee) of God. 

Vibhishana  pleaded  with his brother Ravana to return Sita to Rama. 

Raavana insulted him and kicked him out of the kingdom. 

Vibhishana came to Rama and asked for protection. 

The entire army of Rama was  against accepting Vibhishana in their camp. 

Rama stated that whosoever took God’s Sharanaagati would be protected. 

Rama would protect even Raavan if the latter came to Him 

According to Morari Bapu, the scriptures, though they may be of ancient origin, offer a solution to our present-day problems and are an eternal light to mankind's future.

But then what does a modern man do? One who has not the time nor the inclination to read the scriptures and yet wants to get rid of his problems?

In such a case Morari Bapu feels that after one has analyzed the problem and taken the right measures to remedy it, pray and leave the results to the Lord.

According to Morari Bapu in order to eradicate a problem, three requisites are important.

The one who is willing to help must understand the true nature of the problem.

He must have the compassion to try and eradicate the problem.

And he must have the capacity of getting rid of the problem.

When observed closely it will be noticed that one of the three points is mostly always missing in the personality of the helper. The one to help may know the nature of the problem. but he may not have the capacity to get rid of It. or alternatively, he may be capable of alleviating your problem, but he does not have the compassion to do so or he may have the compassion and the capability, but he may not understand the real nature of the problem.

Morari Bapu urges us not to put all our energies into the world to achieve happiness. Go to the Lord — Pray, he says. The Lord understands your problem — He has the compassion and is capable of getting rid of it.

When God listens to your prayer consider It His Prasad, His Grace; if he does not answer your prayer know that "NO" can sometimes be an answer.

In fact Morari Bapu implores his audience to stop making a choice. Make happiness and unhappiness your friend and there will be no problem. If happiness comes, consider it a laddu (sweet), given by your mother. If unhappiness, then the medicine given by the same loving hands.

Some Thoughts from Bahai Writings: 

All calamities and afflictions have been created for man so that he may spurn this mortal world-a world to which he is much attached. When he experienceth severe trials and hardships, then his nature will recoil and he will desire the eternal realm that is free of afflictions and calamities.

Tests are benefits from God, for which we should thank Him. Grief and sorrow do not come to us by chance, they are sent to us by the Divine Mercy for our own perfecting… 

 …Suffering seems to be part of the polish God employs to make us finer, and enable us to reflect more of His attributes. 

Sri Sathya Sai Baba says:

Do not be affected when the results you anticipate are not produced; leave it to Him. He gave you time, space, cause, material, idea, skill, chance and fortune; you did but little of your own. So why should you feel as if you are the doer? Do your duty as a sincere sadhana...

Read Prayer on Surrender

Read: Bhagavad Geeta