If you saw a post I shared on Thursday, you’ll know that I had an unexpected hospital visit, which led to a small but urgent procedure.
This experience led to many insights, as I had time to think and reflect while in recovery!
What Surrender Really Means
The one that stands out most is the art of surrender, and experiencing what surrender could actually feel like.
If you’re unfamiliar with the idea of surrender, it’s a concept from the spiritual world, and it’s essentially a place of total acceptance of what is, without fighting or wanting to control whatever ‘what is’ happens to be.
Surrender Is Not Passive
Many people, and I’ve made this assumption myself in the past, believe it’s passive, when it’s anything but… As the teacher Tara Brach puts it in her work on radical acceptance, surrender isn’t resignation; it’s what undoes our resistance to reality.
Instead, it’s using your personal power to regulate and remain in control of your emotions, and to be your most conscious self.
Surrender in Action: On My Way to Theatre
Using Wednesday evening as an example: there I was, on my way down to the theatre for a small procedure, and I noticed how I surprisingly wasn’t panicking, scared, or overly concerned…
I was just a little nervous, and I think that’s normal.
I noticed how accepting of the situation I was.
Did I want to be there? Of course not. But it was what it was, and fighting it or being in denial wouldn’t help or change the situation. This is really the essence of navigating something painful without getting stuck in it.
So I was in a calm state, one of surrender, in control of my emotions, accepting of the situation, and at one with life.
There Are No “Shoulds”, Only What Is
It made me realise that when we’re in this state, life becomes a lot more peaceful. Even in difficult situations, we don’t need to fight everything, if anything.
We fight situations when our expectations of what reality should be aren’t met. But there are no shoulds. There’s just ‘what is’, and surrender reminds us of this and puts us in a state of living in harmony with life, with all that is. It’s a big part of why, in my experience, worrying (a form of fighting reality) doesn’t actually work.
Maybe it’s helped that I’ve practised countless hours of meditation. Either way, it’s a place I believe we can all aspire to live from, and one that can help us be our best selves!
Key Takeaways on Surrendering to Reality
- Surrender Is Active Acceptance: Surrender does not mean giving up. It means choosing to accept reality as it is without resisting or attempting to force control.
- Regulate Your Emotional State: When unexpected challenges arrive, staying conscious helps you stay calm rather than spiralling into panic or fear.
- Release Unrealistic Expectations: Suffering often stems from expecting life to follow a specific path. Dropping rigid expectations brings instant inner peace.
- Worrying Does Not Change Outcomes: Worrying is simply a form of fighting what is happening. Releasing this habit allows you to move through tough moments with ease.
FAQs for What I Learned From A Recent Hospital Visit
What does surrender mean in a health crisis?
Surrender means accepting your present reality fully instead of fighting it. It allows you to stay calm and regulate your emotions during stressful health procedures.
Is surrender the same as giving up?
No, surrender is active acceptance rather than passive resignation. It undoes your resistance to reality and helps you keep control over your emotional state.
How can you practise acceptance during unexpected stress?
You can practise acceptance by noticing your physical reactions, dropping expectations about how things should be, and focusing on remaining calm in the present moment.
Why does worrying fail to help in difficult situations?
Worrying is a way of fighting what is already happening. It creates inner friction without altering the actual situation or improving your outcome.
Can mindfulness help you manage medical anxiety?
Yes, regular meditation and mindfulness give you tools to stay grounded, helping you move through frightening hospital visits with calm confidence.
