When and How to Surrender to the Absolute
Hansaji Yogendra
When we are working, we often feel that we are putting in much effort, we are working very hard, and in spite of doing so much work, we are not getting the proper results. This is because somewhere in our subconscious, we are result-oriented. Slowly, the enthusiasm to do that work starts decreasing. A strong inner faith that I will get the results at the right time, but that for now, I have to only do the work, is lacking.
In yoga, the concept of Ishvara Pranidhana - surrender to God, is a very strong one. Human beings have to surrender to God because nothing is in their hands. This is something we have to understand very early on. Our intelligence is limited. We think we are very intelligent but in reality, we are still in the world of ignorance. When we see that results are not coming even after working hard, then we start getting that feeling that there must be some other force that is running the world. ‘What is the truth and what is necessary for me, I don’t know; God knows’ - keep at this feeling and continue working. The struggle has to go on. Life is a battlefield. Keep on fighting.
Ishvara Pranidhana does not only mean doing Pooja, Bhajans, Kirtan, attending Satsangs and chanting the name of God. It is all about doing action and leaving the results to God. Never allow doubt, tiredness, or frustration to come in. God helps those who help themselves. This is a strong point in yoga. In the whole of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, ‘Do your duty’. He could have simply said, I will handle everything But He says, do your duty and everything else will be taken care of.
God has given us twenty-four hours in a day. From that amount, we have to rest for eight hours. The rest of the time must be used to do duty towards self, duty towards near and dear ones, towards work, and whatever else is possible. If there is a problem with the body, child or spouse, work, etc. then that area of body, child, spouse or work will have to be given some more time. So how much time to involve, whereby you can carry out your duties properly, is something that you will have to decide depending on the situation.
When and How to Surrender to the Absolute
Hansaji Yogendra
When we are working, we often feel that we are putting in much effort, we are working very hard, and in spite of doing so much work, we are not getting the proper results. This is because somewhere in our subconscious, we are result-oriented. Slowly, the enthusiasm to do that work starts decreasing. A strong inner faith that I will get the results at the right time, but that for now, I have to only do the work, is lacking.
In yoga, the concept of Ishvara Pranidhana - surrender to God, is a very strong one. Human beings have to surrender to God because nothing is in their hands. This is something we have to understand very early on. Our intelligence is limited. We think we are very intelligent but in reality, we are still in the world of ignorance. When we see that results are not coming even after working hard, then we start getting that feeling that there must be some other force that is running the world. ‘What is the truth and what is necessary for me, I don’t know; God knows’ - keep at this feeling and continue working. The struggle has to go on. Life is a battlefield. Keep on fighting.
Ishvara Pranidhana does not only mean doing Pooja, Bhajans, Kirtan, attending Satsangs and chanting the name of God. It is all about doing action and leaving the results to God. Never allow doubt, tiredness, or frustration to come in. God helps those who help themselves. This is a strong point in yoga. In the whole of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, ‘Do your duty’. He could have simply said, I will handle everything But He says, do your duty and everything else will be taken care of.
God has given us twenty-four hours in a day. From that amount, we have to rest for eight hours. The rest of the time must be used to do duty towards self, duty towards near and dear ones, towards work, and whatever else is possible. If there is a problem with the body, child or spouse, work, etc. then that area of body, child, spouse or work will have to be given some more time. So how much time to involve, whereby you can carry out your duties properly, is something that you will have to decide depending on the situation.