Surrender Or --
Create Your Own Reality?

A friend in Arizona wrote, “Will you address the issue of ‘surrender?’ It’s part of so much of the spiritual reading I do and I have trouble with the concept. Since I believe I am the director, I don’t want to surrender to some higher power, even though I believe in a higher source. I want to be in charge. But I sense that there is a certain amount of predestination and if I would sometimes just surrender, I would get out of the way of my greater good. But then, who the hell is deciding my greater good? It’s a tough issue for me. Carolyn Myss is big on it ... and Wayne Dyer ... and many other mystics. How exactly does it fit in with creating our own reality?”

In response: Classic surrender, as defined by mystics, is a matter of switching from mind to no-mind, from ego to egolessness. Some of the mystics advocating surrender would also have you meditate and chant mantras whenever you’re not selling flowers on street corners to support their commune.

The idea of switching to egolessness is guru double-speak -- nice words for bullshit. Every expression of ego is an expression of a fear-based emotion such as prejudice, possessiveness, greed, envy, jealousy, insecurity (fear of not being important enough), blame, resentment, repression, et cetra. There are no exceptions. And that being the case, no can just switch off all their fear-based emotions, not even the gurus. Your fear-based emotions are your karma, and it will probably take quite a few lifetimes to integrate them all.

Surrender, as described by many New Age authors, feels like Zen detachment to me -- the idea of doing your very best and then detaching from the outcome. To repeat this idea as expressed in last week’s column: Krishna said, “Do this work and leave the result to God; that is not of your business.” Your business is to act. The result is God’s business.

You incarnated to resolve your karma, fulfill your dharma, and test your levels of awareness in the society of our time. Most of us have chosen to fulfill dharma that requires us to work, pay our bills and be responsible to our loved ones. To this end, we need to create our own reality by being responsible to the present and the future.

Now, let’s address predestination. My current astrological and past-life regression book research shows that many of the key events in our lives are predestined. But that doesn’t mean the outcomes are predetermined. Free will may be factored into the equation, and the real test has to do with how we respond to the situations.

A troubled marriage makes a good example. Assume major conflicts and divorce aspects are evident in the couple’s astrology charts. Both partners are attracted to other people. Combined astrological charts with the new people also show that destiny is at play. A parting appears to be predestined, so why not surrender and just let it happen? Because if the couple were to surrender to divorce, they would miss out on all the growth that might result from going through the test -- the process of resolving the conflict. Maybe by establishing new agreements and being patient with each other they can resolve the crisis. Instead of surrendering, they need to decide what they want and act to create their own reality. 

At this point, I’m tempted to shoot off in a new direction and explore surrendering to desires such as having a double-chocolate sundae for dessert. But you’re saved because I’m out of space.

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All Dick Sutphen Master of Life Columns can be read at www.dicksutphen.com / click on “Articles & Columns.”

“SOUL BLUEPRINTS” is a new Sutphen Seminar to be conducted for the first time in Scottsdale, Arizona, June 29-30, 2002. There are no accidents. We predestine the key events in our lives. Before you were born you decided what you needed to learn in this life. Do you know what it is? Have you locked in your level of success, and if so, can you override this karmic block? What about significant events waiting in the wings?

Not everything is knowable, but a lot more knowledge is available than most people realize. This all-new seminar explores dharma, karma and predestination. The goal is to find answers ... and to find directions.

Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale is known as the West’s most Western town and as the lifestyle capital of the American Southwest. Three rich cultures are in evidence: Native American, Spanish and Western pioneer. The city enjoys an average of 86% sunny days per year and was named “The Most Livable City in America” by the Conference of Mayors. A tourist Mecca, nearly eight million people a year visit here to take advantage of the fabulous weather, activities and outdoor opportunities.

Fees, Registration & Hours

The fee for this two-day seminar is $150 per person. There is a non-refundable (but transferable) deposit of $40 to reserve your place. Final registration begins Saturday morning, 9 to 10 AM at the seminar room in the hotel. Final payments and paperwork will be completed at this time -- bring the receipt you’ll receive in the mail. Seminar hours are 10 AM to 5 PM with a lunch break.

Location

Old Town Hotel & Conference Center in the heart of downtown Scottsdale on the beautiful Civic Center Mall featuring the Center for the Arts, restaurants, night clubs, art galleries and more. Fifteen minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Ask for the low summer group rate of $55 per room. Old Town Hotel is located at 7353 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Phone: 800-695-6995. Web: www.oldtownhotelscottsdale.com

Astrology charts and special computerized charts and reports to help you create your own reality are available by clicking here.

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