| Q: What’s the simplest way to incorporate surrender into everyday life that will also benefit my spiritual practice? |
| A: When it comes to surrender outside of sitting practice, there is an approach that is pretty straightforward: when you’re triggered, let go immediately. Delaying only makes it harder. Of course, to have this level of clarity, you need sharp discernment— you must first recognize the emotional and mental disturbances surfacing within. From this vantage point, you can discern the turbulence without becoming its captive. |
| When an arrow strikes you, let go at that instant and remain seated in and as awareness. This allows the pain to ebb away like the ocean tide. If you cling to the thoughts and emotions that surface, you’ll find yourself ensnared in a vortex of reactive energies and narratives. If you get lost in the story, when you eventually “return” to awareness, you might realize how lost you were— lost enough to possibly regret your words or actions or perhaps what you failed to do. This loss of clarity can last distressingly long. Sometimes, you might find that only a few minutes have passed, but on some occasions, we could be talking days, weeks, or even years. Where were you? How did life pass by so quickly? Don’t let what can be surrendered hold you back. Remain rooted in your own being, and let whatever surfaces play out without getting swept away by it. This approach will help you avoid accumulating so many mental impressions, thereby not only making your daily life easier, but also enhancing the efficiency of your nondual practice. |
