MASTERING THE ART OF SURRENDER — Recognising The Unity of All Things
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Mastery of the art of surrender lies in one's ability to cultivate a constant alignment (union) with their internal energies and that of their surroundings. The result of such alignment is what we often describe as the 'flow state'. In essence, being in flow means that we have become immersed in the elements insides and outside ourselves in the course of a particular activity. When carrying out a specific task for example, we are in flow when we lose ourselves in the task at hand by focusing less on the “doing of it” but more so on the “being of it”, from which our actions naturally emanate.
Something close to this state of immersion is depicted in the Taoist teachings of Wu Wei, which in Chinese expresses inexertion, but can also be translated as non-doing (inaction), or effortless action. While this may sound like a rather lazy act, Wu Wei is actually an invitation to connect to our 'inner-being' (the spirit of nature that dwells within us) by letting ourselves follow what Taoists call The Natural Way or Tao. As we do so consistently, our actions are said to simply flow out of us, so seamlessly that we feel as though there is no particular 'doer of actions' to be conscious of, but simply the 'doing of the act' itself. Ultimately, we would say that there’s no effort required in the actions we are inspired to take simply because we are not focused on the 'doing' of the act but rather the 'being' of it, which then leads to natural movements (action).
To be able to grasp the original feeling behind this state of surrender, I find that it is important to first become aware of the fundamental truth of 'oneness' — this idea that the self is inextricably intertwined with the rest of the world and nothing exists separately (independently) from anything. I have realised that practising surrender, in fact, makes a lot of sense to those who understand their innate union with the 'whole' (everything that exists outside themselves), so much so that they are at peace and willing to let life's intelligence guide them through every undertaking.
Surrender isn't for the ego-driven mind
Mastering the art of surrender isn't a possibility for the ego-driven mind. When our ego gets involved, the idea of surrender becomes impracticable because the ego, being our 'separated' sense of self, gets a sense of security by feeling in control of its environment. Naturally, it will seek to control every situation and possible outcomes, and therefore, can only let go of so much at the end of the day.
Surrender only becomes a possibility when we detach from the compulsions of the ego and slowly return to our essence in oneness. The more you know yourself to be an integrated part of the 'whole', the more you are naturally able to influence and impact it. Conversely, the more you distance yourself from the idea of oneness and see yourself as separated from the 'whole', the less you are able to naturally influence (or impact) it, which then makes you want to control it instead.
Understanding the unity of all things
Mastering the art of surrender is about recognising the unity that exists between you and your environment (everything outside of you), so much so that you understand that it has the wherewithal to provide you with everything you need, not only to survive but to also thrive. Indeed, the universe has your back and always conspiring to delight you, however, it can only do so to the degree that you know yourself to be one with it!
When there is no longer a real distinction between you and the things outside of you, your well-being becomes paramount to the well-being of the environment that is sustaining you and vice versa. This is something that is easily understood when we observe the way life works in all living things. When we observe the ways nature takes care of animals, insects, plants etc., we can easily see how their survival and well-being are intertwined with that of their environment. There is an innate relationship and understanding with nature that makes them know how to source from their environment for their well-being, while providing for the well-being of the environment at the same time. Such is the case of bees and flowers for example — the needs of the organism are essentially one and connected to the needs of the environment which sustains it. Therefore, it would make sense that when one's need isn’t being met, the well-being of the other becomes directly impacted.
The general order of things that takes care of fleas and moles also takes care of men, if they will have the same patience that fleas and moles have, to leave it to itself.
— Michel de Montaigne
True surrender (union) is realised when you begin to see that what you want is ultimately what the universe wants, and what the universe (the environment) wants is also what you (the organism) want. And so, you bring to the universe what it needs as it simultaneously brings you what you need. You take care of its well-being as it simultaneously takes care of yours — the universe's needs and yours being one and the same. This relationship is something that every living thing naturally understands, but somehow human beings still struggle to grasp.
Surrendering to nature is surrendering to the nature in you
Surrendering to nature is surrendering to the spirit of nature within yourself. As you become familiar with the energy that creates life, the drift of nature that dwells in you, you will begin to also recognise it in everyone and everything else around you. It will then become apparent that your very essence is identical to the underlying essence of existence itself. And so, there’s no need to control or cling onto the subject or object of your desire, as they are already part of you by essence — your only work is to simply realise your existing union with them. It is at this point that the idea of surrender becomes no big deal! The more you know yourself to be connected to existence itself, to every single living thing, the more comfortable you become with the idea of surrendering to it.
To attain the Tao, one must go along with nature and recognise the spirit of their surroundings within themselves. You and the things (nature) are the same process, the now streaming Tao
— Lao Tze
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