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Eva Müller

How to Balance Surrender and Action on the path of Spiritual Awakening



Today, I want to discuss the concept of surrender versus action, a topic that often creates confusion. Many of those I work with struggle to understand this, and it's something David Buckland recently explored in his blog, which inspired me to share my perspective.


I'll link David's post below, but I felt compelled to address this topic in my own words. The term "surrender" is often misunderstood, with many thinking it means doing nothing and waiting for life to unfold on its own. This misconception can be misleading, especially in spiritual teachings where "surrender" is frequently mentioned.


To clarify, I prefer to think of surrender as allowing and accepting. Energetically, it means maintaining an open system, where we allow and accept whatever life presents. In this state, all emotions, triggers, and energies can flow through us, regardless of whether we prefer the situation or not. This openness allows experiences to come and go without lingering, preventing us from getting stuck in resistance or negativity.



Before reaching this natural state, we can practice surrender in our daily lives. It's not about giving up on action; rather, it’s about navigating life with a sense of openness. For instance, if you plan a vacation and book a hotel, only to find out upon arrival that your reservation was lost, surrender means accepting the situation, going to the hotel next door, and possibly ending up with a better room than originally planned. Life often has a way of presenting us with better options when we surrender to it.


However, if you resist, insisting on what you had planned, you might find yourself stuck in a less favorable situation, holding onto negative energy that could linger and affect your experience. This is a simple example, but it illustrates the importance of taking action without being attached to the outcome. 


Surrendering doesn't mean you stop planning or taking action; it means you remain flexible and open to outcomes different from what you expected. In meditation, surrendering means allowing distractions, discomfort, or thoughts to be there without resistance. This openness lets you stay present and undisturbed.


Over time, surrender becomes a natural state, and you learn to navigate life without being attached to specific outcomes. You realize that life often presents you with what's best for you, even if it’s not what you initially wanted. Practicing surrender in meditation helps you apply it in daily life, where you can accept situations, even when they don't align with your desires.


In essence, surrender is about trusting that life has your best interest in mind, allowing experiences to flow without resistance, and finding peace in whatever unfolds. It's a practice that leads to greater liberation and less unnecessary suffering.


Thank you for watching, and feel free to reach out with any questions.


Davids Buckland’s blog on The Art of Action.



 


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1 Comment


davidfb
Sep 18

Beautiful response, Eva. Thanks for the shoutout.

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