One of the great aspects of being a shaman is the deep healing I undergo so that I may in turn help other people. There is no shortage to the levels of unveiling and understanding that present themselves to me in each waking moment. It is not in sanctimonious spirit that I share this fact; I share my journey to show you that I have been in your position. Sometimes in exact circumstances, other times symbolically dynamic.
If you are like most people, you probably have a vision of raising the white flag to your enemy, slinking away in shackles with your tail tucked between your leg, enslaved to something or someone more powerful than you that will forevermore use and abuse you without your consent. In short, surrender is culturally ingrained to be a negative experience. Why would you ever want to give up? give in? The cultural myth is wrong. The act of surrender is in fact a set of behaviors, attitudes and emotions filled with courage, hope, wisdom and community.
When you surrender to your healing crisis, you are accepting and validating it’s existence. There is no more denial. During this paradigm shift of how you view these “life problems,” you energetically place yourself in a position to heal. Acknowledge that left unchanged, your life will end. If nothing changes, no thing changes. Left unchecked, the crisis can evolve beyond the help of your spiritual life, technology and modern medicine. In fact, facing mortality is the most often cited reason I hear people avoiding the surrender to life circumstances. There is a seemingly insurmountable fear of the pain of mortality. It’s another cultural myth.
The paradox is that in your own mortality you find spirituality. In the act of surrendering, you are also accepting outside help and assistance. This can be from friends and family, doctors, therapists, counselors, sponsors and most importantly from a higher power. You are truly not alone, separate or disconnected – not ever. These are delusions spawned by fear and the antagonistic point of view that you must fight.
The most pure essence of surrender is self-love, honoring life unconditionally. Your dis-ease, healing crises and other “problems” need undivided love, respect, care and attention. Welcome it with open arms as the lesson and growth that if offers. Do not turn your cheek or begin games of war. That which needs your surrender is inextricably part of you and can be integrated, holistically to your human being for greater health and prosperity. The path to recovery and healing starts with you, and you alone. Without surrender, the pain and suffering will surely persist.
If you would like help understanding your path to surrender and acceptance, please click [Appointments] or [Services] at the top of this page. Shamanic healing will open your heart and mind to a new understanding, and give you the necessary tools and practices to further your evolution. It opens your will center, enabling you to make necessary changes in your life.
Written in 1937 by Reinhold Niebuhr, The Serenity Prayer is a popular mantra to invoke daily (or even hourly) help with surrender. To which, I add: “May the peace and love of life’s journey find it’s rightful home in your heart.”
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
