Creating Space…To Surrender
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Creating Space …To Surrender
Photo courtesy of Alexander Tran on Unsplash
Have you ever had an idea that keeps coming back in subtle ways over and over? It’s like you’ll be just moving through the course of the day, and this concept just keeps making it’s way back into your conversations, your content, your interactions, etc. You know, it’s like when you buy a white Honda Civic and suddenly you are seeing them at every stoplight? Okay, so maybe there were already a ton of Honda Civics on the road, but now you are actually noticing them. I suppose it’s not all coincidence, right? I think it was Tony Robbins who is often credited for saying “Where the attention goes, energy flows”. Or, coming from a more scientific angle it is your Reticular Activating System (RAS) at work. There are some great articles out there that go into more depth, but for the sake of brevity, it is essentially a bundle of nerve pathways mediating the overall level of consciousness. The RAS helps us filter information based on relevancy, perceived usefulness, or even recency. It’s why setting intentions and manifesting are so powerful.
At any rate, a few weeks ago a friend of mine sent me this meditation. Despite the fact that I already had 3-4 meditation apps I’d been rotating in and out of, I decided to check it out. There were so many powerful thoughts and statements woven throughout this particular session. I was blown away.
“We walk invisibly cocooned by all the things we wish to control.”
This woman is speaking directly to me. I immediately followed that meditation with a few minutes of journaling.
“This morning I did the Surrender meditation. It was literally everything that I needed to hear. I’ve been gripping so tight lately, and being so hard on myself and NOT giving myself, my life, or my goals the grace nor the credit they deserve. I’ve been so full of -
I just need to…
As soon as I…
Why haven’t I…
Once I figure out…
If only…
It’s not the headspace I ever consciously choose to go into, but it sure does know how to sneak up on me. For today, and for however many days I can, my intention will be to “surrender”. Not to give up, but to release the grip of anxiety, expectation, and hyper-criticism that is not serving me.” Tian - 1/29/21
“If we continually release our need for controlling the flow, and worrying about rocks we may hit, we allow divine Grace to enter our lives”
Since then, the idea of “letting go”, “releasing”, or “surrendering” has shown up in other meditations, conversations, podcasts, and of course other yoga flows. Granted, these might be expected spaces for this very idea given so much of my life is dedicated to the practice of living yoga on and off my mat. But what’s key here is, because it has become an area of attention, and intention I am consciously, and likely even subconsciously allowing my energy to flow in that direction. A few months ago, I adopted the mantra “that’s not for me to worry about” in response to some emotional triggers that were leaving me feeling anxious and overwhelmed. I suppose in some ways that was my own internal compass trying to guide me toward this idea of surrendering, of letting go. In Toastmasters this past week it was my turn to give an impromptu speech in response to a prompt. Although the theme of the meeting was focused on Spring, the question was “As we enter into the season of spring cleaning, what are you looking forward to clearing away?” My response, articulated in the allotted 1-2 minute timeframe for Table Topics speeches was “ideas and limiting beliefs that no longer serve me. Expectations that weigh me down, and a need to control things that ultimately are better served to unfold in the way the universe, the way God has intended.”
What are you letting go of this Spring? In what areas might you find Surrender?
Namaste.
