Surrender To God is Suicidal — Ramana Maharishi

Summary

True surrender, as described by Ramana Maharshi, is a silent, total act without conditions, requiring the dissolution of the ego. It’s not about asking God for favors but letting go of the false sense of self. Through self-inquiry or surrender, the ego dissolves. Surrender is not inaction but acting without a sense of 'doership,' like an instrument in God's hands. It’s about trusting a deeper intelligence and relinquishing control. To surrender is to offer up emotions like fear, anger, and joy, allowing the ego no room to grow. In surrender, stillness remains, and one aligns with their true nature.

Takeaways

• 😀 Surrendering to God is not about rituals or mantras, but an inner act of total, silent submission without conditions.
• 😀 True surrender involves letting go of the ego and ceasing to ask God for personal favors. It is about dropping the illusion of self.
• 😀 According to Ramana Maharishi, complete surrender requires releasing the ego entirely, without partiality or bargaining.
• 😀 To surrender, one must discover who they truly are, as only through self-inquiry can the false sense of 'I' be dissolved.
• 😀 Self-inquiry and surrender are not separate paths; for those who struggle with inquiry, surrender offers a direct route to enlightenment.
• 😀 Surrender is not about inaction or passivity; it is about acting without a sense of doership, like a flute in the hands of the divine.
• 😀 God never forsakes those who fully surrender, but partial surrender—holding onto personal plans, identity, or fears—is not true surrender.
• 😀 The example of a passenger carrying his luggage on a train illustrates how we unnecessarily suffer when we refuse to surrender to a higher power.
• 😀 Surrendering in daily life involves offering up emotions such as fear, anger, and joy, without clinging or fighting them.
• 😀 Ramana Maharishi teaches that surrender to Ishwara means trusting in a higher intelligence and awareness beyond the mind, relinquishing the illusion of control.
• 😀 In true surrender, fear dissolves, and what remains is stillness, from which one can experience their true self, aligned with God.

Q & A

What is true surrender according to Ramana Maharshi?

True surrender, according to Ramana Maharshi, is an inner act that is silent, total, and without any conditions. It involves letting go of the ego and the sense of 'I' that constantly asks for things, rather than performing rituals or chanting with a distracted mind.

What does Ramana Maharshi mean when he says, 'Throw your entire burden on him and he will carry it'?

This quote emphasizes the idea that when we surrender completely to God, we let go of the burden of our ego and sense of doership. God will carry the weight of our struggles, as we no longer hold onto them ourselves.

Why does Ramana Maharshi say partial surrender is not true surrender?

Ramana Maharshi states that partial surrender is not true surrender because it still involves retaining aspects of the ego, such as identity, plans, and fears. True surrender requires letting go of all attachment to the 'I' and 'me'.

What does Ramana Maharshi say about surrender in daily life?

In daily life, surrender means offering up emotions like fear, anger, and joy without clinging or justifying them. It involves witnessing these emotions and surrendering them, allowing the ego no space to grow.

What is the difference between the paths of self-inquiry and surrender?

The path of self-inquiry involves deeply questioning 'Who am I?' and dissolving the ego through this process. Surrender, on the other hand, is a more direct path, especially for those who find self-inquiry difficult. Both paths lead to the dissolution of the ego.

How does surrender relate to action, according to Ramana Maharshi?

Surrender does not mean inaction or passivity. It means performing actions without the sense of 'I am doing this'. Like a flute in the hands of the divine, one acts without pride or fear, simply allowing things to unfold naturally.

What does Ramana Maharshi mean when he says that God never forsakes one who has surrendered?

Ramana Maharshi suggests that when one truly surrenders, they are taken care of by the divine. Complete surrender to God ensures that we are supported and never left alone, as we no longer carry the burden of our ego.

What example does Ramana Maharshi use to illustrate the concept of surrender?

Ramana Maharshi uses the example of a passenger on a train who insists on carrying his luggage on his head, even though the train is already carrying both him and the luggage. This illustrates how we suffer unnecessarily when we do not surrender to the greater power that already moves the universe.

What does surrendering to Ishwara involve?

Surrendering to Ishwara means trusting in a deeper intelligence and awareness beyond the mind and thought. It is not about abandoning responsibilities, but letting go of the false belief that we are in control.

What is the ultimate result of true surrender, according to Ramana Maharshi?

The ultimate result of true surrender is stillness. In this stillness, the ego dissolves, and what remains is the real self, which is not separate from God. This is when the ego is burned away either through self-inquiry or melted in the love of surrender.