Acceptance

“To some people surrender may have negative connotations, implying defeat, giving up, failing to rise to the challenges of life, becoming lethargic, and so on. True surrender, however, is something entirely different. It does not mean to passively put up with whatever situation you find yourself in and to do nothing about it. Nor does it mean to cease making plans or initiating positive action. Surrender is the simple but profound wisdom of yielding to rather than opposing the flow of life. The only place where you can experience the flow of life is the Now, so to surrender is to accept the present moment unconditionally and without reservation.”

– Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

Practice for the week:

“During day-to-day life when you notice stress or conflict, whether it be internal or external, see what is being held onto. Is the tension related to holding an opinion, a condition for happiness we have set up in our own minds, a fear, a criticism of oneself or another, a like or dislike or a desire that might not be prudent. See what effect holding on has, and what effect it has on the stress if we let go of the mental tension. What effect does it have on stress if we willingly accept things that we can’t or shouldn’t change or if we accept the effort it takes to change the things we should?”

– Dr. Craig Hassed, Know Thyself, The Stress Relief Programme