Surrender — But How?
How do we go from doing to “simply” being?
Whenever a yoga teacher cues something like “surrender to the sensations,” I never fully understood what to do. I think that’s exactly where the problem lies: it’s not about doing anything. It’s about resisting the urge to always act and instead allowing ourselves to just be. But how do we do that? The same goes for cues like “let go of what doesn’t serve you.” I believe letting go isn’t something we can actively do; in fact, whenever we try to force something away, we encounter even more resistance. Letting go can only happen through acceptance, and we can only accept what we’re aware of. Ultimately, everything starts with observation and the expansion of awareness.
Imagine you’re in pigeon pose. As you settle into the stretch, you start to feel tightness in your hip and perhaps some discomfort. Initially, you might feel the urge to adjust your position, tense up, or distract yourself by thinking about how much longer you have to hold the pose. Instead of actively trying to change or escape those sensations, you simply acknowledge them for what they are—recognizing the tightness without judgment. Rather than forcing yourself to let go of the tension, you allow yourself to fully experience it. This acceptance creates space for the tension to naturally release over time, leading to a deeper sense of relaxation and ease in the pose.
Observe, accept, and watch the tension dissolve on its own.
The same principle applies to scenarios off the mat. You don’t rid yourself of emotional triggers by wishing them away or pretending something isn’t bothering you as much as it truly is. That’s not letting go; that’s emotional gaslighting. Instead, take a moment to observe what’s going on without feeling the need to immediately find a solution to the “problem.” Remember, something only becomes a problem if we label it as such. Everything really is just what it is. There’s no need to find a solution for something that isn’t a problem in the first place, and an emotion never is. When you feel triggered, take a moment to observe your body’s reactions and your thoughts. Rather than forcing yourself to “let go” of these feelings, focus on accepting them. You might say to yourself, “I’m feeling overwhelmed, and that’s valid.” By breathing into that awareness, you create space for the feelings to exist without trying to push them away. Over time, this acceptance can lead to a clearer mind. You may find that, instead of feeling the need to control every outcome, you start to approach situations with more calmness and clarity.
In this way, true surrender and letting go come from awareness and acceptance because you can only let go of what you’re aware of.
However, surrender is not synonymous with passivity. Surrender is a powerful act of acceptance that allows us to let go of our need for control while still remaining engaged in our journey. When we surrender, we create space for clarity, resilience, and authentic action. It’s not about sitting back and waiting for things to happen; it’s about recognizing what we can’t change and choosing to respond with intention and grace. By understanding this difference, we empower ourselves to navigate life’s challenges more effectively and discover a deeper sense of peace and purpose. While there will always be external factors we can’t control, we can always control how we respond.
For me, surrendering is about being vulnerable and open to whatever life brings my way. It’s understanding the urge to control every little thing while knowing that I don’t have to and that I can respond with grace, no matter what happens. Embracing surrender means really experiencing each moment, tuning into my inner voice, and accepting things as they are. As I practice this acceptance, I find that true surrender creates a sense of peace and clarity, guiding me toward a more authentic and fulfilling life. I’m learning to navigate this journey just like everyone else.
