I’ll never forget when my spiritual teacher told me that surrender is remembering that we were never in control in the first place. The letting go is the letting go of the belief that we are in control. It was a pivotal moment for me.
As I contemplated this in my own life, I was able to observe the natural order of destruction, sustenance, and birth that is constantly cycling. I also noticed that when I was gripping and not wanting life to do what it does, I suffered. The interesting thing was that I didn’t just suffer emotionally, I suffered physically as well. I would deal with insomnia, migraines and digestive issues.
This isn’t to oversimplify the deep and complex challenges we face, particularly injustice. It’s important not to spiritualize or minimize the human experience which can feel raw. Still I’ve noticed that the more I am connected to a higher state of consciousness, I am better able to be with what is. It’s quite a gift to be with what is, while still having a very human experience.
To me, this is the practice of surrender: the ability to be with the totality of life, have my feelings and remember that it’s all just as transient as the weather. When I am unattached to outcomes and the things I believed were my most stable ground, I can stabilize in a higher state of consciousness. Through this, my appreciation for life has grown exponentially, and my ability to live in a quiet alert state that relaxes my whole body feels nothing short of a miracle.
It’s not a miracle in the sense that it’s special to me. It feels miraculous because it’s so counter to how I once lived. My migraines have mostly vanished, digestion is in check and I live with peace and ease. Living with peace and ease is at the heart of well-being.
Sita Severson is an Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist and Director of Soul of Yoga Institute. As the Soul of Yoga celebrates its 25th anniversary, Sita is sharing practice insights on holistic wellness with the community.
