Surrender

Surrender to nature to what is © C Rivers

February is a funny month, short and unpredictable. Still winter yet every now and then there is a glimpse of spring. It is probably the time I am the busiest too and I can easily feel overwhelmed and anxious to lose control resulting in increased anxiety and frustration. I am also more prone to get ill and ignore my body screaming out for rest. One way to deal during such times is to surrender – but how does that actually work and what does it mean?

In the beginning of my mindfulness journey, I struggled with the idea of surrender. I read books, and listened to podcasts. Over time and in conjunction with my daily yoga and meditation practice I learned to surrender. For me there are two steps to surrender:

1. Recognising the need to control and 2. becoming a witness of those thoughts, emotions and sensations that are controlling without reacting.

That is surrender: letting go of the need to control. The only action to take is to be present of what is and react in a mindful way. Talk to yourself: It is okay to feel that way, there is no need to control, I can let go. It feels good to let go – then observe.

Yoga and meditation taught me to surrender and to let go of the need to control in daily life. Gradually anxiety and frustration were replaced by observation and a mindful way of living without anxiety and frustration