5th Chakra: Power Of Choice
Surrender is a spiritual tool that is available to each of us should we choose to let go of our need to control (as if we really have control, ha!). When we surrender, we are placing our trust in a Divine intelligence to know what is best for us. It’s not easy to give up the results we desire, but when we surrender, the outcomes, although unexpected, are always for our highest good. Surrender requires a tremendous amount of faith, humility, and courage. Through prayer (utilizing the seventh or crown chakra), we can choose to ask the Divine/Universal Intelligence/God to help us cultivate those attributes within ourselves.
Surrendering doesn’t mean we’re complacent. In fact, an empowered person takes action from their inner knowing or intuition (the sixth chakra or third eye) while also taking responsibility for every thought and every choice in their life. Our ability to express ourselves authentically resides in the fifth or throat chakra. It is also where we struggle with choice and our ability to surrender our personal desires to a higher power. Carolyn Myss reminds us that “actions motivated by personal will that trust Divine authority give you the richest power.”
If you remember my story from Harnessing Your Intuition, the desire to move to New York came from some unknown place within me. I call it guidance, and yet I had no idea how to make it happen. When I surrendered the outcome, the Divine provided a pathway, in its own perfect timing (remember, it took five years to unfold), that exceeded my wildest imagination. I've seen time and again how surrendered outcomes unfold in the most beautiful way. People often say I’m lucky, but I attribute this “luck” to my willingness to let go of controlling the outcome. I struggle with acceptance like everyone else, but I mostly trust, even if I don’t get my way, that things unfold for my highest good. Who knows how much heartache I’ve saved myself by surrendering outcomes to the Divine? It hasn’t made life easy, but I’m certain I’ve been spared deeper, more difficult ego lessons because of my willingness to surrender outcomes, as painful as it can sometimes be.
When the sixth chakra is open, we feel a deep sense of freedom. There is a sense of trust, knowing all is as it should be, even if your life is not where you presently want it to be. Surrendering is a practice and is obviously easier in some cases than others. Start taking small steps to cultivate faith in the process. Consider approaching desires as preferences, knowing we don't always see the full picture. Maybe create what Tosha Silver refers to as a “God box” (call it what feels right to you) and put all your desires and needs in the box. Work towards accepting life as it is and focusing on the blessings. We can take action when possible while surrendering the outcome, allowing life to flow rather than attempting to control it. Ask for the steps to be shown. Ask for the courage and discernment to learn the lessons being presented in your life. We were never meant to navigate life alone. There is an unconditionally loving universe ready to guide you if you ask. Consider surrendering your will, dreams, and desires. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
