SURRENDERING (Ishvara Pranidhana) AS PART OF OUR NATURE
/For many of us, this time of year is a natural example of how surrendering is a part of life. The leaves have been changing colors only to release from their branches and the trees to go dormant. They are surrendering themselves to the winter months with the potential and intention of returning in the spring to give birth to a whole new year for them and us.
Similarly, we are given regular opportunities to surrender. In the yogic tradition, the philosophy and principle of practice from the Yamas (self-regulating behaviors that involve our interactions with others) and Niyamas (a personal practice that relates to our inner world) known as Ishvara Pranidhana, which means to surrender. Ishvara itself tends to mean “supreme soul or higher up or sense of God” (whatever you believe is true for you.) Pranidhana translates to Surrendering has several implications one of which requires a sense of softening into a state where more stillness lives. To surrender can also mean to let go of control, control with expectation, and control around an outcome. Another way surrendering can be experienced is by simply (not always so simple) letting go of whatever it is that we are being invited to let go of in the present expression of life. Surrendering also requires a certain level of trust in its letting go process because what we are letting go to isn’t always known, familiar, or comfortable to us but somehow we determine that what we are giving up is only making room for something usually or hopefully better. Consider it an “upgrade” in life between where we are and where we could be and where we came from, happening simultaneously. Ironically, that is also the case of what the reality of the moment is. Right now exists the past, present, and future simultaneously.
This time of year shows us that we have come from the summer transitioning through the fall to give way to winter, only to return us back to spring. Similarly, as we observe our own breaths and slow down enough by using our own breath as a focal point we can observe the different phases of the breath. There is the inhale, the pause between the inhale and the exhale, the exhale, and then the pause between the exhale and the inhale. The inhale and the exhale tend to be the longest part of the breath cycle and depending on each of us some of us may be inhaling more, exhaling more, barely breathing or barely letting go of the breath. It is seldom thought of or actually realized but as long as we are breathing in, life continues in this body, so that is guaranteed to be true, as well as the fact that with every inhale there is an exhale, which is also a fact. But, what isn’t guaranteed is that next inhale. Somehow we don’t think about it but we trust the subtly of it in that we assume we will continue to inhale again after the next exhale but that is something only known to a deeper part of us that actually is the spark of life that is in the body giving it vitality. We surrender to the notion and assume that going to bed tonight will allow us to believe we will wake up tomorrow but that is not true. It is unknown until it is known, one way or another. We surrender to the possibilities that each breath will take us to the next minute of our future and that we continue to progress through the seasons and years ahead. In this, somehow we are taking a leap of faith.
How else do we do this? We can consider when we make any big or small shift within ourselves, or move from home to home, job to job, relationship to relationship, to whatever is next and different from what is now and maybe different from what was before and as we somehow soften into this continues fluidity of life we are brought ashore to our next destination, whether we know what it is or not. In fact, when we think we have an idea of what it is, is it exactly how we thought it was going to be?
Softening also requires a certain level of us grounding in ourselves, trusting some part of us will hold the weight and space and security as we permit ourselves to not only hold ourselves in the present moment but also become more intimate with the resources that surround us that can also help us with it so we aren’t doing it all alone. Softening requires sometimes a sense of not doing, which is still doing something. Softening means coming out of our busy minds and really connecting to the body and how it is actually existing on this planet. The more we slow down, the clearer the picture of the moment becomes and the more we are aware of this the more we can see the hidden treasures in our day-to-day.
Taking leaps and bounds takes a lot of trust to navigate our lives. It is easier for some than it is for others and one main reason for that is the number of stories that are told by the mind and believed in the process. These stories have somehow been stored in some imaginary bank of memory, in yogic and Ayurvedic philosophy it is called “smrti”, and depending on how clear (sattva) or cloudy (tamas) or turbulent (rajas) the mind can be that will determine how our worlds are perceived/received and interpreted, analyzed and thought of. The world tends to be a reflection of our perception and many times our perception is influenced by past memory that will dictate the present and moving forward dynamics of our realities. But once we can get reconnected with that part of us (buddhi) that has some sense of clarity we can now begin to see what the stories are as what they are and they will slowly release their hold on us. The mind (manas) makes a better servant than master but also when properly utilized it can truly be an executive coordinator of our experience as humans for traversing the terrain of life for each and every one of us. There is a lovely analogy involving a chariot, charioteer, and horses that I remember reading about in my study of a classical Indian text called the Bhagavad Gita. The horses are considered the senses (of which there are five which consist of ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and touch), the chariot represents the body, the reins represent the mind, and the charioteer represents the intellect. When the mind is in control of the senses, the individual experiences a smooth comfortable ride.
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali he states yoga is “chittavrittinirodha” which is “chitta” (consciousness) “vritta” (fluctuations) “nirodha” (quieting.) Therefore, yoga is about quieting the fluctuations of the mind. It is important to also note that in reading the yoga sutras that there are mainly two lines that focus on the actual physical practice of yoga and the rest are 194 lines that are focused on mind and consciousness. How amazing is that? How important is that? The reason for this is that these authorities of yoga knew that a predominant reason for what we consider suffering was due to what the mind was doing when it was untamed.
To surrender means to take a leap of faith and somehow make/affirm an intention to trust beyond what the mind has to say when it is in its turbulent state. In yoga, and Ayurveda, there is a practice of what is known as “Sankalypa” that discusses how setting an intention can create an opportunity for a certain experience as it involves the volition of letting go along with the understanding that the intention is a type of conviction with a purpose of some pointed sense of something that will support our well-being somehow and on some level. Intention can help and especially if it happens to come from that inner place where silence whispers from what some call the soul (jivatma) and manifest/unmanifest consciousness (atma/avyakta) itself that gave birth to the soul.
In loving, or choosing to love, we are surrendering a certain notion of “I-ness” to welcome in more of a “one-ness” without actually losing ourselves. And the part of ourselves that we lose, was it really ours, to begin with? Who/what did it belong to in order for it to be lost?
To love means to be open to the reality of taking risks and trusting more of the unknown, whether it’s love for another person or some other experience like a job or a move to a new home. A guiding and inspiring factor that motivates us in spite of the fear is the feeling of joy, passion, excitement, and a sense of newness. With that, there is also an understanding that there will be some fear, nervousness, anxiety, and what have you, that will tend to show itself. But again, depending on where the mind is at that will determine how far down the rabbit hole we allow ourselves to go spiraling. Either way, it’s a journey. Can we find joy in even the experience of unhappiness at any given point? Can we find gratitude for it as well, even if something didn’t go our way? Are we willing to continue to expand into the fear and even into the contraction that may come up? These are questions I explore within myself regularly.
So, we can see, there is a lot more to surrendering than we think of. The difference between us and other parts of nature is that we tend to ell more stories about ourselves and perceived reality than nature does itself. We get caught up in the four walls of the room of our mind and sometimes trap ourselves with a “crazy” person. When you’re walking down that street and some “crazy” person is talking around or at you, do you listen and believe them or hear them and keep moving on? This isn’t that much different than that voice in your head that is following some distraction of sorts that becomes unnerving at some point. There’s this other analogy of the mind in yoga that I had learned many years ago which says “the mind is like a drunken monkey bitten by a scorpion!”
The mind can make it challenging to surrender but there are some tools we can take advantage of so that we can allow ourselves to experience whatever it is that grace could bring us by surrendering.
1) Set an intention and let it go. You can say it out loud or write it down. You can perform some sort of elaborate ritual or a simple one. It doesn’t necessarily matter too much.
2) Non-attachment to the outcome of that intention. Try to let it go the best that you can after you send it out there somehow.
3) Slow down. Maybe you’ll notice more in the present moment that will be essential to whatever is next, even if it’s simply just to slow down.
4) Ground yourself. There are many practices and techniques. In fact, even writing something down becomes a way to ground the intention we wish for ourselves. Otherwise, get a massage, meet with friends that are loving and supportive and inspiring. Get on the ground literally and just lay there until you feel it’s time to move.
5) Learning sacred scriptures, prayers, mantras, and things of the like nature is another way to access taming the mind so that will make surrendering a bit easier to experience.
6) Meditation. Meditation can be easier, according to some yogic schools of thought, when mantras are practices first. Breathing practices also can precede meditation. In fact, meditation is not something you actually “do” but experience as a by-product of preparatory steps that come back to mantras, breathing practices, physical exercises such as yoga or tai chi or qigong. At least a beginner’s mind requires some “preparation” for going into meditation. More experienced meditators may not need to do as much beforehand and may “slip into it” a bit easier.
7) Focus on nature, which in and of itself is a benign but profound form of meditating because you’re focusing on something other than the normal things that you would focus on. Go to the woods. Observe the space between the trees, between the shrubs, between the stars, between the clouds, between the leaves and rocks. If you’re feeling ungrounded, then squat on the ground. Put your feet in water or dirt. Lay on a rock. Hug a tree. if you’re feeling stuck or stagnant, then stand in running water. Go for a bike ride or swimming. Do some vigorous activity to raise the heart rate in a healthy way. If you feel like you’re an intense, sort of Type A person, then see how you can soften. Think of the water element or cushions or anything that can soften the edges and bring a smile to your face.
8) Expressing gratitude for anything in our day or week. The more we practice this, the more we’ll start to notice….more of it. That in and of itself is an expression of abundance. Abundance and gratitude require some trust, softening, and surrendering. It’s like chicken soup, or vegetable soup if we’re not into chicken, for the body, mind, and senses. They all soften and in that softening you will feel more connected to yourself.
9) Rituals of any sort that allows us to somehow step outside of yourself is a way to surrender. It’s a way to connect you to you. It’s a way to connect you with something more than just you. It allows us to connect up with another form of sacredness of life This was a lovely quote a friend of mine shared. “A ritual is the enactment of a myth. And, by participating in the ritual, you are participating in the myth. And since myth is a projection of the depth wisdom of the psyche, by participating in a ritual, participating in the myth, you are being, as it were, put in accord with that wisdom, which is the wisdom that is inherent within you anyhow. Your consciousness is being reminded of the wisdom of your own life.”-Joseph Campbell
10) Notice if we are “pushing” or “trying too hard” or trying to “power through” something and how it feels in your body. The body will always communicate when we are either in harmony or out of harmony with it. If we're pushing, trying too hard, or powering through, how is it actually serving us? What if we took a step back and slowed down? What are we trying to avoid or not feel? (especially when there’s a sense of speeding past something.) Maybe this pushing energy is preventing the experience of the discomfort of the surrender? Food for thought. See how it feels for you? Remember the definition of insanity is when you’re doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different outcome.
11) Explore the parameters of your own inner world. Notice the places that feel tight and constricted, mentally and physically. In yoga, we have a core principle known as “sthira and sukha”, which generally translates to discomfort and comfort, or effort and softening. We tend to use this as a marker as we are experiencing our asana (physical practice) of yoga where we notice the effort in and out of poses by the edge or line where it is comfortable enough but also uncomfortable. What we do here is simply slow down and be present with that temporary suspension in time and space in order to really experience presence and surrender. This can be applied to countless scenarios and opportunities in our lives where we are used to be comfortable but also in the face of uneasiness due to the unknowing of what’s to follow.
12) If you think it may be helpful, you can also reflect on your past experiences and observe where you had other moments where surrendering was being asked of you. If you can recall those moments, a single moment, right when you’re at a particular precipice that surrendering was the theme, remember how you felt at that very moment. How did it turn out for you? Then, just look at how a present invitation to surrender is another way to take a deep breath and exhale and trust what is next, knowing that you will be taken care of as you were in the past. Just know that you won’t necessarily or exactly usually know how but just trust that you will, no matter what. The mind will question, doubt, sabotage, and other various tactics to divert the reality of what is happening, but make efforts to ground yourself as things may shift. Don’t pay attention much to that “crazy person clamoring away.” Adyashanti says “don’t believe a word you think.”
Doing all this is an act of surrender because we’re essentially giving up what we’re used to doing that has gotten us into the place where we may not be feeling enough joy in order to trust the possibility of something to come that can possibly allow us to experience joy.
As we enter into the next phase of this time of year through this season and the holidays arise, remember to take care of yourself. Enjoy each day and what gets delivered and what doesn’t, as much as possible and almost as easily as possible. This isn’t an easy task either but it gets easier with practice. We will all benefit from such things. This has nothing to do with willing way or wishing away things that don’t feel good, it has more to do with noticing just how the inhale and exhale can co-exist that even joy and disappointment can too. Remember that there’s less harm that comes from being real, authentic, and present with all of it. Surrender to what is as a daily, moment to practice the best that you can.
RELATED ARTICLES:
DISCLAIMER: This information is meant for educational purposes only. Any changes in lifestyle should be reviewed with a qualified practitioner and primary care physician if you are currently under their care for specific conditions.