"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day." A. Lincoln
Lately, I have been finding myself in an almost constant state of overwhelm. The "issues of the day" in the world seem very personal to me. I see them impacting me and those close me, not to mention hundreds of thousands of other people who share this planet with me. I often feel pretty powerless to change or impact those events.
In my own life, many things seem challenging . . . my business is a crazy, stress-filled industry; I can’t see how to move from where I am in my life to where I want to be; my emotions often seem volatile and outside of my control despite all the inner work I do to stay in a positive state of mind and Heart. My loved ones– family and friends– seem to have a lot of problems these days, issues or challenges in different arenas, which tends to activate my empathy at a very deep level. Both the Mom in me, as well as the therapist and minister, rise up full-bore to assist my “peeps” in any way I can, which can result in me being on “Orange Alert” all the time, and so at the mercy of my adrenalin. But the fact is, while I can sometimes offer solace, support and perhaps some insights and awarenesses to those I love, for the most part, I can’t do anything else for them; their challenges are their challenges and they have to face them, to some degree, alone, within the context of their own psyche and their own lives. So often I feel I am just coaching and cheering from the sidelines, unempowered to really do anything.
As a result, oftentimes right now, I feel "driven to my knees," which for me means I fall into a state of acknowledgement of the fact that despite my amazing abilities to be effective and competent in many areas of my life, to be many things to many people that are helpful to them, and to manage my own inner and outer worlds pretty darn well– much of what goes on here on the Planet, both in my life and my loved ones’ is outside my control. The resolution of many issues seems to lie in hands other than mine. The solutions I or others seek sometimes sit just outside of the sphere of my current knowledge or experience; and I respond to that observation by feeling small, frightened and incapable of dealing with these situations.
When I am "on my knees," I find myself surrendering to what others often call a Higher Power. For me, this Power is not “out there” at all—but rather It is a deep sense of Inner Connection; it is a Place where I am Safe and where I experience that we are all Loved. This Place is both inside of me and all around me, and from that place I know that everything that goes on in this world is all right at some level, perfect in some way and that I, and all of us, can learn from everything we experience, if we choose to do that. This Place for me is filled with a Presence that is both me and Not-Me– a Self that is both who I am here and Something Greater. In this Place within this Presence, I may not always know exactly what the right thing to do is “off the top of my head,” but I do feel more TRUST about the situation, and I have more PATIENCE with the stream of events. I also seem to have a much greater sense of Humor about everything; I see the innate silliness of Life and laugh at how I/we struggle to control and master events and situation. Yet I also have Empathy for the human condition, and our collective and individual fight to survive here. From this Place in my own Consciousness, I am touched by the desperation we attach to this fight, partially because we have forgotten that Who We Are is really ETERNAL. Who We Are cannot die or fail, and does not perceive suffering in the same way we, as humans, do. All we are doing here, from this Higher Perspective, is simply having an experience we decided to have, thinking it would be fun– and learning whatever we can manage to learn from it. It is not intended to be painful although we can perceive it that way of we want to. All that is intended is that we each do the best we can as we move through each experience. It is not really a “win-lose” game.
When I sit in this peace-filled Place inside of me, when I aware of this deeply caring Presence, and I am surrendered to It– and to all the Knowing, Loving and Wisdom that is present within It, I find that I am more RESOURCEFUL. I find that while I may not have the “right" answer or absolute best solution to the situation, and I may not know EXACTLY what to do or which way to go, I do have some good ideas. I become aware of avenues to explore and some resources to tap into. I somehow find myself immersed in a pool of Cosmic Creativity, and once again I feel empowered and enthusiastic. I can more easily move forward, or back a bit, if I choose, so I can go down another Path.
I have had people in my life, all my life, tell me I can be "too independent." They chastise me for not asking for support from other people when I have difficulties. They also note that I often perceive other’s or the world’s problems as my own, and add the weight of those problems to my own. And they comment that there is a price I pay for being the one that everyone else depends on.
I sometimes think these people are right, that that is true of me. BUT/AND I also think that I have realized that when I surrender my burdens and those of others to that Aspect of me and Not-Me that knows everything, understands everything, loves everything and has all the answers and solutions, I, as a person, become stronger, wiser, gentler, more resourceful and more effective than I am when I struggle to do it all alone. I, with that Connection and that Support, become fully capable of handling my own issues better, and also of being a friend and support person for others around me. I also find that I become a powerful part of the SOLUTION to the World’s problems and woes, rather than being part of them. And, this is exactly what I want to be.
Dear Greg,
Talk about synchronicity (and Carl Jung!), I just posted an intent on surrender and then I see your lovely blog
This is beautiful – I'm going to print it and keep it as a prayer.
"Thy will be done"
Love, Noreen.
Dear Noreen:
While you were commenting on my intent, I was commenting on yours!
What other confirmation do I need? You are in me and I am in you. The One pervades and resides in all.
Love, Greg
dearest greg,
this is divine, simply divine. so beautiful and complete.
Wish you love, peace and happiness.
Trisha
Dear Greg,
Beautiful. I have found that it is difficult to surrender–probably a personality flaw–until I've done everything possible in human terms to address life's problems. I'm a strong believer in "God helps those who help themselves." Pray to God and keep the powder dry, i.e. Cromwell. Perhaps it's a bit of Lucifer DNA–shake the fist at the sky.
That being said, in my own experience, there is a point when one must let go. Very Taoist–set up the conditions for things to happen, don't make them happen. This is what I did before the bone marrow transplants–standing post meditation for eons. Once in the isolation room, I let it go–figured I'd done everything I could possibly do. Apparently it worked.
But I don't think you can let go too early on and let God sort it out. That Celtic blood stiffens the neck. I think God–He/She–bred us to be fighters. Not in a violent way, of course. But heart-wise.
Best regards,
Bob
Dear Sharmishtha:
Thank you for always supporting and lifting me. It is humbling and gratifying to find your loving presence as I begin my day.
Love and Light,
Greg
dearest greg,
to me your intents and posts mean a deep connection to God and my soul.. in a very direct way, no confusing words, nothing.. i never have to think twice, i just see God shining through them.
Wish you love, peace and happiness.
Trisha
Dear Sharmishtha:
I am merely your mirror.
Love, Greg
Dear Greg,
The warrior persona can wear thin. That being said, one of the proudest days of my life was when Dr. Yang, the master of the kung fu/tai chi chuan/qigong school to which I belong, called me to Boston. He looked at me, laughed–which unnerved me, as I'd never seen him laugh before–embraced me, grabbed my shoulders and said "You conquered yourself." The highest praise one can give to a martial artist, even though I hadn't practiced martial arts per se in years. But it was about something more sublime than the outward movements, which one tires of when in one's thirties.
Dr. Yang was partly right. I still have miles to go before I sleep. And you're right–it's a different battle at 51 than at 31. In some ways, it's easier; there's a lot less testosterone muddying up the field. It's still there in sufficient quantities–but it's not a blowout anymore.
Thanks for your insights, which are always penetrating.
Bob
Dear Brother Bob:
You are a true "bodhisattva" which I believe means among other things, to be heroic minded, a warrior, moving toward enlightenment.
I can identify with your words, I have been a fighter – with others, mostly with myself. The most arduous battle I have waged has been with myself, the battle within, confronting and acknowleding everything that has prevented me recognizing my true Self. The texture of the battle at 51 is different than it was when I was thirty. I am grateful that you chose to battle cancer, you have taught many of us to peek at the great power that lives within us all.
Sending light and love to you today and christening you "Bodhisattva Bob!"
Love, Greg
You are most definitely a "surrendered" beacon of light Greg, Thank you for sharing and as Noreen indicated, this is going to be printed on put on the fridge for some real nourishment! =) In Gratitude and Support!
In Light, Joy, and Appreciation
Tefari
dearest greg,
You are God’s pure light, which is reflecting on me. but i know a real diamond never says its cost, if we ask him he will say i dont cost a dime, i am just a coal who underwent extreme pressure.. thats the beauty of angels and messengers of God.
Wish you love, peace and happiness.
Trisha
Bob:
Together lets pray for more testosterone and growth hormone. In the meantime, I will keep following your example of battling and keep doing those squats with the weights in order to generate my own!
Love, Greg
Brother Tefari:
I am grateful to be graced with your gratitude and support. I hope you will sometime write about the origin of your name “Tefari” – it is imbued with a lyrical and spiritual quality.
Much love and light to you in this and in all moments.
Love, Greg
Dearest Greg,
…..and so it is….so you are, so I AM…..
In surrender and gratitude to life,
Kay
Together we are stronger, Greg, and NOW is the time to be strong and clear and aligned in our surrender/Heart Power…you are a GIFT to life….I treasure being on this life journey with you, Dear Brother. Aloha Nui, Kay
Dear Kay:
I can’t think of anyone whose support means more, than yours.
Surrendering with you.
Love, Greg
Dearest Greg,
This is so incredibly beautiful. I am another who is going to print it out. Thank you so very much!
There are 2 words that many look at in a negative way – surrender and power. If we understand the true meaning of these words we can be with the Divine and find wholeness. I especially resonate with "I surrender to Oneness, expressed in every living thing and being."
Again I cannot thank you enough for this!
Blessings,
Linda
Thank you Linda for your warm support. With you, I surrender to wholeness, to the "I Am complete."
Love, Greg
Dear Brother!Greg!
A really deep genunine feeling!reflected through your this post!
I salute and surrender to your this extreem gentle-message for Surrender!
Actually both in Yoga and Gita!Surrender to 'God-the Divien'! is the KEY! concept!
Again Thanks for reviving this soft feeling!much needed always!JAI HO!
With regards!
@run
Dear Brother @run:
Thanks for your support. Surrender to God-the-Divine. I believe the Rishis would understand and smile. Much love and light to you dear brother.
Love, Greg
I love this day and how I have the opportunity to surrender, one more time to my LIGHT Being Present in my life….Mahalo for these beautiful words/reminders for each of us…Blessings and love to you, Kay
Dear Kay:
Thank you for your lifetime of living out the meaning of surrender. You have shown so many the way, especially all of us here. I love this day too and will join you in another opportunity to surrender, one more time.
Sending you light and love and thanking you for the hope you bring.
Love, Greg
Greg, it is revitalizing to journey life with your PRESENCE…mahalo nui loa and more news as LIFE presents it to me… Blessings to you and your family, Kay
Greg, I posted your Surrender article on my website and on Facebook….this is such valuable insights for people right …..mahalo nui loa for your wisdom….love to you, Kay
Dear Kay:
I am deeply honored to be thus honored by you.
Its humbling to reach the point in one's life when one realizes that all striving and searching are ultimately in vain. Each of us already possesses the "pearl of great price." It is the True Self, buried within each of us. Surrendering, yielding to everything allows us access to the Self. As you well know, Edgar Cayce pointed to this Reality many years ago. And you have been sharing this beautiful insight through your books, workshops, and classes. Thank you Kay for birthing such Light. You teach and encourage us to embark on the ultimate journey – the journey within – the journey to Light and Self.
Much love and light,
Greg
Life is good, Greg….and more is coming….one breath at a time. Love to you, Kay
Dearest Greg,
How much the fight from within will try to resist, yet surrender is the creative form undulating beneath the storms… where release is the lightness of being, like a phoenix, a ressurection of light. Blessings to you and your family. love and light, Rebekah