Surrender is not giving up free will; that would negate the point of us having free will. Surrender is giving up trying to control the journey.
Imagine that you're in a boat and can steer it anywhere. That is free will. Some destinations will be beautiful while some are dark evil places. Where you go is your choice. To get to the places of light and love you can ask the universe for directions.
Surrender is asking for directions and then following them. So often we ask for directions but then decide we prefer another route. Maybe it seems sunnier, prettier, or more popular. Surrender is following the universe’s directions, no matter how rough the waters seem or may become. Surrendering may take us through storms and trials; we may become seasick or shipwrecked.
Surrender takes a lot of faith.
We may never understand why the universe would send us through the eye of a hurricane. We probably won’t appreciate it; certainly not at the time. We want the easy calm sunny route, the one with beautiful maidens and dolphins frolicking alongside as we sip chardonnay under azure skies. Tanning only, never burning, we laze and let deckhands do the heavy work.
No one signs up for the arctic storm, all hands lost, one surviving wretch clinging to debris praying for quick death. But when that’s acceptance—surrender—gives us equanimity and love in the face of peril.
I don’t pretend to be at that level. I complain when it rains. However, I am working my way up to it, ever so slowly. I admit that I worry about surrendering: if I open to negative experiences, will I get them? I want fun, easy and preferably attractive. I want god to understand that I prefer the sunny "opening my heart through looking at dolphins" experience. I don’t want to toughen up or challenge myself. But if a tough experience is my mission, I must accept it. I've been around long enough to know that often what seems insurmountable brings the best rewards. I've learned to trust the path.
I don’t pretend to be at that level. I complain when it rains. However, I am working my way up to it, ever so slowly. I admit that I worry about surrendering: if I open to negative experiences, will I get them? I want fun, easy and preferably attractive. I want god to understand that I prefer the sunny "opening my heart through looking at dolphins" experience. I don’t want to toughen up or challenge myself. But if a tough experience is my mission, I must accept it. I've been around long enough to know that often what seems insurmountable brings the best rewards. I've learned to trust the path.
