Surrender & Release

 

  Let go, and let the Universe guide …

When we willingly release and begin the process of healing from the unhappy situation, we may find we gain the necessary clarity that was not apparent to us before. In having gained clarity individuals often regain their own self determination and strength.  If we could see the miracle in letting go our whole life would change.

sur·ren·der   [suh-ren-der] Show IPA

verb (used with object)
1.to yield (something) to the possession or power of another; deliver up possession of on demand or under duress: to surrender the fort to the enemy; to surrender the stolen goods to the police.
2.to give (oneself) up, as to the police.
3.to give (oneself) up to some influence, course, emotion, etc.: He surrendered himself to a life of hardship.
4.to give up, abandon, or relinquish (comfort, hope, etc.).
5.to yield or resign (an office, privilege, etc.) in favor of another.

verb (used without object)
6.to give oneself up, as into the power of another; submit or yield.

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 and teachings of a higher power.  It may also be contrasted with Submission. Surrender is willful acceptance and yielding to a dominating force and their will.

Three Benefits to Spiritual Surrender

By Michael Clarkson-Hendrix PhD LCSW

In “spiritual surrender”, we do our best in a given situation, but we also recognize that the outcome of this situation is under the dominion of a Higher Power [Miller (1999:179)]. Surrender, in this instance, does not mean giving up our wishes or needs, but recognizing that the act of their fulfillment is ultimately provided by the loving care of a source beyond ourselves.

This Higher Power’s viewpoint includes our personal perspective, but also sees the impact of an outcome upon all beings when fulfilling a want or need. The purpose of this article is to provide you with three benefits to considering incorporating the concept of spiritual surrender into your understanding of your relationship with your personal wants and needs.

1. Incorporating the concept of spiritual surrender into our desire for what we want or need can bring us a stronger sense of peace. When we understand that we can share our thoughts and feelings with a loving Higher Power, including our wants and needs, we can begin to let go of our anxiety about whether they will be fulfilled or not. When this occurs, we are not assured what the outcome will be, but we can know that we are opening ourselves to becoming vessels for a Higher Power’s expression here on Earth (Hoppe, 2005).

2. Incorporating the concept of spiritual surrender into our desire for what we want or need can enhance our ability to see the spiritual gift of a situation. When we come from a place of surrender, we are in acceptance of what is. Our awareness expands to open us to the spiritual understanding within a situation both for ourselves and for other beings involved (Choquette, 1995). From this vantage point, we comprehend what is occurring without judgment or hatred.

3. Incorporating the concept of spiritual surrender into our desire for what we want or need can bring us more joy. We are able to find more joy in surrender since we give up the struggle of our attachment to our personal notions of what would be the best outcome of a given situation. A natural result of this is docility. When we become less attached to an outcome, the ordinary things within our lives take on a heightened significance. We can greet them with wonder, which leads to increased feelings of joy (Morgan, 2010).

 
References

• Choquette, S. (1995). The psychic pathway: A workbook for reawakening the voice of your soul. Three Rivers Press: New York.
• Hoppe, C. (2005). Manifesting skills. University of Metaphysical Sciences: CA.
• Miller, W. R. (1999). Integrating spirituality into treatment: Resources for practitioners. American Psychological Association: Washington, DC.
• Morgan, S. (2010). Personal Communication.
• Michael Clarkson-Hendrix, PhD LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Philosopher of Metaphysics, PhD. Michael’s purpose is to nurture others along their personal paths to peace. Check out his book, “Surrendering Your Will to God,” at http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/mclarksonhendrix to learn more about the concept of surrender

Try not to control the outcome of your troubling situation; as controlling will always involve manipulations and actions that usually lead to a forced, negative environment. Evaluate, observe and respond accordingly without commanding or demanding an outcome. Try to work with a solution that benefits all, over self.

 It can take a lot of courage to let go and trust in any situation you find yourself experiencing;

but, it may also be one of the most valuable decisions you will ever make.

A Celebration of Women