The essential surrender happens within you, it has nothing to do with anybody outside you. The basic surrender is a relaxation, a trust — so don’t be misguided by the word. Linguistically, surrender means to surrender to somebody, but religiously, surrender simply means trust, relaxing. It is an attitude rather than an act: you live through trust. - Osho
Today in Charry's restorative class she used the word surrender multiple times. This afternoon, I have been reflecting on surrender and I realized it is truly not about giving up, but giving to yourself.
"Balancing Effort and Surrender"
http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/1469
Best,
Sandee
1 comment:
This morning, I woke very early, an hour before my alarm, overwhelmed with the transition from the holiday break into "back to school" mode of too much to do. Before jumping into doing and busy-ness, I surrendered and meditated for 15 minutes - and let go of crashing waves of thoughts and anxieties. With each breath I'd let go and more would come at me, a perfect storm of the past (regrets about not getting enough done for school) and future (stress about now how will I ever get it all done?). As my legs fell asleep and my back ached, without trying, I found some peace and clarity that I hadn't felt in quite some time. In the moment, everything was ok.
As I moved through my day, I enjoyed the interaction with my students in class and around campus. Instead of the dread of what I hadn't done, I felt present to the positive of what we were doing - discussing and sharing ideas. I moved through my day and accomplished much more than I imagined I would - as I focused on one thing at time.
This fall, my mind has been jumping like a frog - from emails that I need to write - to reading - to grading and then repeating without accomplishing anything.
My sleep, a restless abyss of thinking and worrying, waking up exhausted. Despite a bad night of sleep, I felt rested after my morning meditation.
Tonight I will meditate briefly before bed. To wipe the slate clean, so I can truly rest.
I am eager to get back into the habit of meditating at least 15 minutes. I remember a summer of regular mediation - twice a day for 20 minutes while in grad school - perhaps the most productive and prolific writing period of my life and it seemed almost effortless like walking down a path with clear signposts...
Indeed, surrender to meditation - to step back - to quiet the waves - then, swim on.
I write to remind myself of these benefits - and bolster my discipline - and perhaps, lend some inspiration...
Namaste,
Kevin
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