How do we surrender to God in difficult times? When we don't know where we are going, how can we surrender? Will he protect us? Will he make sure things go well? What's the guarantee?
—Esha, India
Dear Esha,
There are no guarantees on the spiritual path, simply because we don’t have the ‘whole picture.’ Living by faith is our only reassurance!
Swami Kriyananda said, “My experience is that the most practical thing of all is faith, because it works. If you really have faith, somehow things work in incredible ways — not blind faith but faith born of the experience of God’s inner presence in our life. That is the real meaning of faith; the deeper the experience of God the deeper the faith.”
Most of us still have ‘underdeveloped’ faith and thus anxiety. We say ‘all right, God, You have managed to take care of me every month for 45 years but I am not sure you will be there this time around!’
Our true security lies in our deepening attunement with God and Guru and the sense of His inner presence. This comes only through sadhana and meditation and living that consciousness. Adopt the powerful quote of ‘Seek ye first the Kingdom of God’ as this phrase is the best security.
Also, depending more on God’s abundance and on your own inner ability to draw whatever you need. Does it mean He will make it easy for us? No. Will He provide all we want? No. That would destroy our chance to advance spiritually. Life’s true purpose is the expansion of our consciousness. We go on until we achieve that state of perfection — ever new, ever existing consciousness. Our soul has far greater vistas to explore and we cooperate with that by deepening attunement. Everything flows from that.
Positive attitude, service and meditation practice enable us to sail past all difficulties. Tests are designed to help us discard any attitudes or delusion holding us back spiritually. Tests help us not to define ourselves by anything that happens outwardly. Then comes acceptance of what simply is. A spiritual warrior is someone who can accept what comes of its own and lets it come. The spiritual warrior understands that God is behind all of life’s experiences. With this understanding comes joy and freedom from worry and fear.
When the mind begins to worry try repeating this affirmation for faith. “I will go forth in perfect faith in the power of the Omnipresent Good to bring me what I need at the time I need it.” Repeat it until you feel calm and peaceful again.
Just love God that will connect us with Him in our heart. The truest guarantee in this uncertain world. Many blessings on your efforts.
Nayaswami Hassi
