Could This Be the Way to World Peace?

Posted byLisa at Micro of the MacroPosted inHealth & Well-Being, Psychological HealthTags:, , , , , , , , , ,

Surrender is faith that the power of love can accomplish anything… even when you cannot foresee the outcome. ~Deepak Chopra

The most brilliant rainbow I’ve seen

Recently, spiritual surrender has been a recurring theme in my life.  At  Unity of Ocala, Florida, my friend Rev. Lauri shared her story of the challenges that led to her living a surrendered life.  Dr. Betty, a Science of Mind friend here in Arizona, composed a beautiful fictional account of a surrendered humanity this week; its characters spoke of loving, sharing, healing, and peace, but its underlying theme was surrender.  Personally, I’ve had a couple situations present themselves recently that require nothing less than surrender and acceptance.  And I have other Florida friends who have been a living embodiment of surrender for well over a year now due to unfavorable circumstances. Considering all of this, I decided to blog about the topic.  Then, the realization occurred to me that my experiences have been intermittent. Do I understand the concept of surrender in navigating day-to-day life?

During the Unity service, Rev. Lauri read from Michael Singer’s New York Times Bestselling book The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself. The author, who established a meditation center in Gainesville, Florida in 1975, writes that there is an ocean of love within each of us that can free us and nourish us, if only we open to it. Last year, in an interview with Tami Simon of Sounds True entitled Living from a Place of Surrender,  Singer explained the idea of surrender in terms of daily life.  Our fears and desires, the products of past conditioning, cause us to resist or cling to the new, which results in the witnessing of our reactions to events rather than the events themselves.  By letting go of self-serving thoughts, we return to our divine center, that ocean of love, where decisions can be made that are not ego-driven.  This allows us to experience the present unembellished. Regular meditation, yoga, time in Nature, and other mindful practices can help with this exercise of letting go.  The natural outcome of this process, Singer says, is service to others.

There’s something captivating about this skewed reflection

Trust your heart, give of your time and talents to your family, your neighbors, and your world. And don’t be afraid of the silence – it’s where guidance emerges. ~Dr. Betty Campbell-Henderson

Michael Beckwith, New Thought minister & founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center in California, has a great take on connecting with our divine center.  In a short video, he says the practice isn’t religious, it’s real, it’s waking up to reality, it’s beyond the perception of scripture.  Regardless of your religion, or lack thereof, it is possible for you to connect with your higher, wiser self.

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean

In a SuperSoul Sunday clip, Oprah Winfrey interviews Mark Nepo, bestselling author of The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have.  Due to a rare cancer diagnosis in his 30’s, Nepo writes and teaches about living fully within the embrace of the unknowable.  Acceptance of the oft-accompanying tough, uncomfortable stuff is an important part of surrender, he says, because it helps keep our thinking fresh and present.  And a relationship with what’s presently taking place, not our worn-out reaction to it, is what we’re shooting for, right?

They are the chosen ones who have surrendered. ~Rumi

From a Yoga Journal article, Many of us first experience spontaneous surrender during an encounter with some great natural force—the ocean, the process of childbirth, or one of those incomprehensible and irresistible waves of change that sweep through our lives and carry away a relationship we’ve counted on, a career, or our normal good health. My first experience was challenging, but one for which I’ll always be grateful.  After incomprehensible waves of significant change swept over me in the space of a few short months, I surrendered to the idea that the Universe must have a better plan for my life.  Although I was terrified, I decided to go in search of it. (Read a bit more here.) Once I fully committed to the idea, things became easy, as if I were being pulled, rather than having to push to sell my home & belongings.  And once my journey began, I was surrounded by natural beauty, which helped me stay in the present moment, centered in my ocean of love. This surrendered exploration of life resulted in considerable healing, rejuvenation, peace of mind, and reconnection.

High in California’s Sierra Nevada

I am blessed by friends who remind me of the importance of returning to my divine center.  And I am grateful to you for tagging along for my quick course of learning.  Surrendering daily to our higher selves can have far-reaching consequences, greatly benefitting us individually and collectively. It’s an idea whose time has come, especially for those unfamiliar with the process. It is my hope that each of you will join me in experimenting daily with the process of surrender, keeping in mind the optimistic outcome of Dr. Betty’s story, in which love and peace reign now and forever!

Blessings for Surrender,

Lisa

Always say ‘yes’ to the present moment… Surrender to what is. Say ‘yes’ to life – and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you. ~Eckhart Tolle

The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.

46 thoughts on “Could This Be the Way to World Peace?”

  7. You have had such an amazing journey, Lisa, and I am blessed to have been part of your journey.

    Back in 1990 I selected 🌈 rainbows to be a sign for me of God’s presence in my life. One day in 1995 I was faced with a choice of whether to move my mother in a nursing home. She had been living in a bright and cheerful assisted living center where she was well taken care of, but her doctor said she needed more care, as she was approaching the end of her life. There were no hospices in this small town. My husband and I looked at several nursing homes and they all were depressing. I didn’t want to take my mother out of the place where she loved and where she was loved. I closed my eyes and prayed for guidance on what to do. When I opened my eyes, there was a bright rainbow 🌈 directly in front of me in a clear, blue cloudless sky. I knew immediately that Mother should stay in Eagle Estates, the home she had come to love.

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    1. Hi, Carla, I love this story! Thanks for sharing it. Now every time I see a rainbow, I’ll think of you! I am super grateful you’ve been, and still are, a part of my journey, as well. I so look forward to seeing you in a few weeks! 🌞

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  11. The older I grow and the shorter my time left on this beautiful earth, the more I understand about living in this moment. And in this very moment, I am blessed to be reading your insightful words and quotations. Enjoy what’s left of your weekend 🌹🤗🙋‍♂️ Ashley

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  13. Surrender is a powerful concept and even more powerful practice. I appreciate this post, Lisa, as it details the possibility of opening up our hearts to what is, instead of what we want to be. In this space, surrender and acceptance are possible. A wonderful read on this beautiful sunny afternoon here in the Northwest. Have a lovely Saturday! ☺️

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    1. Hi, Jeff, I am grateful for your kind comment! Indeed, opening our hearts to what is – that loving, supportive ground of being – what could be more beneficial?! Nice to hear your weather there is pleasant. Hoping that continues through your holiday! Have a great one! 🌞

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  20. I love this comment: “Regardless of your religion, or lack thereof, it is possible for you to connect with your higher, wiser self.” There is a philosophy to everything even if we don’t necessarily connect to it in a certain way; I like how you talk about the “wiser, higher self”. When I used to work with students in religion I used to say something similar. Thanks for posting!

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  21. Pingback: Could This Be the Way to World Peace? — Micro of the Macro – World Peace Movement

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