“Life rarely unfolds exactly as we want it to. And if we stop and think about it, that makes perfect sense. The scope of life is universal, and the fact that we are not actually in control of life’s events should be self-evident. The universe has been around for 13.8 billion years, and the processes that determine the flow of life around us did not begin when we were born, nor will they end when we die. What manifests in front of us at any given moment is actually something truly extraordinary—it is the end result of all the forces that have been interacting together for billions of years.” ― Michael A. Singer
Michael Singer’s book on surrender takes us through his trials and tribulations on learning to surrender. But what comes to your mind when you hear the word surrender? A quick definition search would bring, "resistance to an enemy or and submit to their authority.” Our resistance to ‘surrender’ could be rooted in a societal opinion that surrender could indicate a certain level of weakness or negativity. I know I experienced this initial bias too. But why would we consider the universe, that has been around for billions of years continuing the flow of life and ultimately resulting in our arrival, as an opponent?
When we reflect on the magnitude of the universe we often find a moment of perspective. The perspective of being right sized by the vastness and complexity of the universe. A perspective that our individualism, self-will and locus of control is less than insignificant in comparison. In these moments of perspective if we resist we find a sense of separateness and if we surrender we discover a sense of unity and harmony. The Way is the harmony of the universe.
The traps of pain, suffering, attachment and self-identification are born out of this resistance that keeps us separate. Beyond those entrapments is the ‘Atman’ The Bhagavadam (Holy books of India) explains, “The Atman or the Divine Self is separate from the body, it is one without a second, pure, self-luminous, without attributes, free, all-pervading, it is the eternal witness, blessed is he who knows this atman for, though an embodied being he shall be free from the changes and qualities pertaining to the body. He alone is ever united with me.”
This is the place of pure being and harmony with the universe. Surrendering to the flow of the universe brings us closer to this state, little by little. In my experience, as my ability to surrender continued, I witnessed this principle and my faith in the process grew at each step along the Way. This idea that we can become One in harmony with the universe became less of a spiritual teaching and more of an attainable ‘reality’. Ask yourself what is blocking you from the light, love, peace and freedom of being One with the universe and surrender to it.
“You are all form, you are the breath, you are the river, you are the void, you are the desire to be enlightened, you are enlightened.” - Ram Dass
