The Grace and Practice of Surrender: Living Surrender #1

I am starting a new Wednesday Wisdom series called “Living Surrender.” I hope many of you are reading my new book Seeking Surrender, and as we read it together I’d like to write and think about living surrender.

When we hear the word surrender, it sounds both exhilarating and terrifying. Even though I have written an entire book on the theme of surrender, and surrendering into life on life’s terms with trust, I still face moments like this morning, when my stomach is in knots when I hear the word, “surrender.”

But now I know that the knot in my stomach is a doorway into grace, and resistance is a friend of surrender if I am willing to meet it.

This past week has been a roller coaster ride because of a work situation, and I haven’t found a resting place to land. Yet by having an orientation towards surrender, I haven’t been completely lost in worrying about the situation. I have been moving between surrender and resistance, which I have learned is the journey.

And when we are surrendering  into any situation or circumstance, we need to seek refuge in prayer, in quiet, in nature, and in the embrace of Love.

Since I’ve returned from the Abbey of Gethsemani, I have faithfully incorporated reading the morning prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours into my  prayer routine. This practice is incredibly grounding, and in my mind I can still see the monks, in their morning robes, bowing in unison, and singing the psalms every morning.

I truly believe that our spiritual and prayer practices are essential to the journey of surrender–they are our anchor. And the more we can stay connected with the energy, the power, the offering of grace, of love, of God’s presence and care, the more we can find stability during a time of unrest, change, or transition.

Once again, I am reminded that surrender is a day-to-day, and even a moment-by-moment practice that must be grounded in faith. This is the place where the Divine and I truly meet. This is the place where I realize that I am cooperating with grace. This is the place where I discover how I must take action AND how I must lean back.

I love thinking, practicing, and teaching about surrender since it really is such a living and vital aspect of everyday life. As you read Seeking Surrender, please remember that we are engaging in the heart and soul of our life experiences, and we are not alone.

Practice:

• Become more aware of what you are surrendering to, and allow yourself to be with it.
• As you hold your need to surrender in your heart, hold it with prayer and love.
• Pray and engage in a spiritual practice that is meaningful for you.
• Realize how you need to take action and how you need to lean back.