Circumstances that call for Surrender

Maria Arpa

Wednesday Whisper

27 January 2021

This week

Circumstances that call for Surrender

Plus…

Maria’s Midweek Mindfulness

and

The Wednesday Whisper

2021 – an exercise in trust and faith

In December I wrote about adaptability but what happens when even the most resilient of us become tired of adapting? The next level is spiritual surrender. Spiritual surrender is a letting go of internal struggle in the belief that there is a bigger picture and a blessed divine energy that is guiding the whole, of which we are a small part. It requires trust and faith because it takes us out of our usual limitations, expanding beyond our conditioned thinking. Surrender is letting go of that which does not serve us. Usually when we don’t understand what is happening, can’t adapt to ever changing circumstances and things don’t make sense we try to find comfort in stories. When these stories put us into struggle we are sidestepping the joy of liberation.

Spiritual surrender is not to be confused with submission. It is not giving up or being controlled. Surrender is life serving. In surrender, I still have the freedom to choose and to act. In fact, I put forward my best endeavour and then I surrender to whatever will be.

Maria’s Midweek Mindfulness

Since the New Year, I have struggled with three situations in which I wanted to exercise my will. Reasonably early on I recognised the tension of struggle in me and remembered to surrender. Each of those situations is unfolding and I am exercising choice without any struggle. I have let go of that which doesn’t serve me. I am liberated.

The Wednesday Whisper

Is there any situation in your life right now which would benefit from surrender?

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9 Comments

Tracy seed
Posted 4 years ago Reply

Love this Maria – surrender is not to be confused with submission. It requires faith and trust in something bigger than ourselves. Letting go of those things that don’t serve us – choice without struggle. Thanks for such an articulate description
Robin Shohet
Posted 4 years ago Reply

Love this, Maria. I had a recent example where I was furious about something and, helped by watching a programme of forgiveness, I just let go. I realised that the whole issue had been created by my inner tyrant whose mantra is control and whose “laws” had been broken. A great sense of peace ensued and I could barely remember what had bothered me so much. The tyrant does not like this, but letting go is not identifying with him (or her). Thank you for bringing this into the public domain where we are going for more and more control. With gratitude. Robin
- Maria Arpa
  Posted 4 years ago Reply
  
  Thanks Robin, we all have an inner tyrant, yet I do not believe this is human nature, I believe the inner tyrant is programmed into us and handed down the generations. The work for me has been recognising that the inner tyrant is nothing to do with who I am but a hanger on who became so ingrained I wasn’t able to see the level of tyranny I had normalised.
Minna Bruce
Posted 4 years ago Reply

This is a truly fascinating topic to see you writing about.. but I am intrigued as to why it seemed to surprise me as I read.
May I first address that, and then come to my excitement of what you actually wrote..
I’m wondering if it’s possibly because in the world of normal human existence, the word ‘surrender’ doesn’t often sit on the lips of the powerful.. (as you say, it can be seen as similar to submission) and now rather weirdly I’m realising that perhaps I have somehow categorised you, Maria, incorrectly in my mind.. and the place that you inhabit seems to have the words ‘Powerful Authority’ on the door (understandably perhaps!).. but as I get to know you I am discerning that either I need to move you to another room or I need to change the inscription on the door!!
Yes you are certainly authoritative and powerfully influential.. and also strong, commanding and forceful.. but as I read today it reminds me that within all of us there is the ability to be a fully fledged dichotomy.. and you are wonderfully an example of this as you are clearly also capable of surrender.. of a specific type that you have called ‘spiritual surrender’.
Perhaps it’s sort of the same thing that to be a good leader one needs to be able to serve?
It thrills me reading what you have so eloquently written in your blog this week, because I believe this is vital to our existence.. as humans we are not all powerful.. we are at the mercy of many things out of our control. The world likes us to think that the answer to all our questions and needs lies in those very things that distract us from so often even asking the important questions.. It’s only in the asking that it can then lead us to the journey where we meet the opportunity to let go and ‘spiritually surrender’.
I so agree that it takes us to a place beyond the world’s conditioned thinking.. this may necessitate us meeting our existential questions head on.. and exploring into the things of belief, trust and faith, as you say.. but this pilgrimage to a place of significance is so worth it as it can bring us to a place of HOPE.. and possibly also healing.
Personally for me there comes a moment when all I can silently cry is “Let go.. and let God”.
- Maria Arpa
  Posted 4 years ago Reply
  
  Hi Minna
  I love how you have processed this blog. I agree that in the end we are not powerful and we rely on the mercy of the beloved divine energy that some call God. So when I sense struggle, I work out what is my best endeavour and then I surrender. In that process I make the request of the beloved divine energy that I can become an instrument of service to the situation.
  Thank you for your posting and yes, please change the title on my door to ‘ordinary human trying to be of service’
  Maria
Margaret Byrne
Posted 4 years ago Reply

Maria
I would like to make a donation to your charity but don’t do PayPal. Can it be done another way?
Margaret Byrne
- Maria Arpa
  Posted 4 years ago Reply
  
  Thank you for your generosity. I have sent you an email with bank details.
Tom Hitchman
Posted 4 years ago Reply

Fab subject, Thanks Maria!
- Maria Arpa
  Posted 4 years ago Reply
  
  Always great to hear when the blog hits the spot