Surrendering
Each day we become the choreographer of our own life as we make plans from major ones to the smallest task. We decide what to eat, what to wear, whom we spend time with, and in the bigger picture we choose our career and decide where we’re going to live. So it seems like life is under our control.
Sojong Reminder from Anam Thubten 04/2017
Dear Dharma friends, Each day we become the choreographer of our own life as we make plans from major ones to the smallest task. We decide what to eat, what to wear, whom we spend time with, and in the bigger picture we choose our career and decide where we’re going to live. So it seems like life is under our control. Not only that, but our primary ego structure gives us a desire to be in control of life. This is why when things don’t go the way we want, it often causes emotional pain, distress, and anger.
Our whole perception of life is colored with these emotions. So we’re always trying to control our own environment as well as situations that are constantly changing or that appear to be unfavorable. We feel that if we are able to perfect things in our life then we will eventually be fulfilled. Yet such a moment never comes when we are operating from this kind of ego structure. While we can try to pursue our goals and perfect our conditions, it’s important to wake up and realize that real happiness comes from learning to surrender to the way things are. This is not about being a complete pacifist and letting life fall apart. Many wise spiritual masters often say that surrender is the key to freedom.
So what is surrender in this context? It is actually quite simple to define even though it might not be easy to practice. It is like a deep knowingness from the gut that we have never been and will never be in absolute control over anything. We have to learn how to let go of every bit of our unconscious parts of this ego structure, bit by bit. The ancient Tibetan masters often say that we should let go of all worldly concerns and activities. Their message should not be interpreted that we should give up all of our worldly activities to be free, but rather we could let go of our grip on hope and fear and surrender to the life that is run by a force much bigger than our own will. With this understanding we realize that happiness lies not outside but within, and it all has to do with our ability to surrender.
On a recent retreat we chanted the Heart Sutra, which is profound, and also seems to be abstract to many people. At one point when we were reciting the lines of negation I felt that every line of that sutra is a way of letting go of our ideas, expectations, desires and dislikes, and just loving the way things are. This is a chant that is recited by so many people as a daily liturgy. Regardless of whether we chant this daily or not, we must practice surrender every day. And the more we learn this way, the more we love it. During this sojong you might like to spend some time contemplating this subject. It is not an entirely new subject for most of you. We have all been practicing this. At the same time, it seems that it is a good time to emphasize this liberating wisdom. With gratitude, Anam Thubten