It’s interesting to consider the different flags we wave. It’s a strange concept to me, clinging to an identity so strongly that I’d have to wave my tribal flag for all to see—as if a person can be reduced to a flag. There’s a fancy house near me that has 6 Trump flags of various flavors hanging off it. I confess, it’s hard for me to imagine being that identified with a politician—or any person outside myself. Not trying to pick on Trumpers, there are plenty of other folks clinging to their flags. But it’s a free country, in which we can choose to be attached to our own ideas.
One day I walked past the Trump house and wondered, if I had to wave a flag, what would it be? Is there a symbol or an insignia that would represent my identity, my life? Without hesitation, Wisdom responded, “It is the white flag of surrender.” Simple. Classic. Yes, that is my gentle, sweet flag. “I give up!”, my flag proclaims, for all the world to see.
The benefits of surrender are considerable. There is the physical sense of reduced tension in the body, chest, gut—as if a full-body contraction has been released. Breath flows easier. There is space and courage for awareness to assume it’s natural role in your functioning. Worries are few and false. There’s no need to form judgements or promote opinions. There’s no responsibility to find things about which to complain. No need to rush. No need to assume, cling, or resist. No conflicts to wage, even and especially against yourself. No need to avoid yourself, for that matter. No need to fear death and suppress life.
Surrender is easy. Struggling is hard. Surrender takes practice, however. It takes attention. (And attention takes practice.) The more you practice releasing the delusional sense of control over the uncontrollable, the easier and more satisfying life feels. But surrender takes courage, too, maybe like the courage it takes to jump out of an airplane with no parachute. Except you discover that you yourself are the parachute. Surrender is a blessing you can grant yourself.
Ishvara Pranidhana is one of the internal practices of the Niyamas—the second limb of yoga. It means surrender/devotion to Supreme Being. While many people consider “Supreme Being” to be God or some outside agent, I like to consider it as my ultimate human functioning. There is a Wise, Kind, Courageous, Authentic entity within all. When we practice surrendering to that entity, we are literally practicing Supreme Being.
Surrender does not mean passive, indifferent inaction. It’s your life, you either reign over it or squander your autonomy. As a human adult, choices and decisions must be made. But without the contraction of fear (and the confusion, insecurity, greed, etc fear brings) choices are clearer, decisions are easier. Opportunities are more apparent, without the veil of fear. Supreme Being consistently shows that what is best for you is also best for everyone else.
And still, I just can’t imagine literally waving a flag. But my heart marches to the beat of a sacred parade, and it brandishes a tattered, battle-worn white flag. For my life’s sake, I surrender.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23)
Surrender to the flow.
This reminds me of our T conversation today - great piece!
Very moving piece... you are 100% right about the reduction in stress when you finally realize "I can't change anything, so I give up." Later on, conscience kicks in with odes of responsibility that need to be suppressed... haha.