2016-06-30

Throughout the ages, religious leaders and spiritual teachers have taught surrender to the wisdom and mercy of a supreme being, whether called Yahweh, God, Krishna, Atman, Jesus, or a Higher Power.

In some religions, the concept is more central than in others. The word "Islam" literally means "surrender"; a core principle of that religion is the complete acceptance of and surrender to the will of Allah.

Here is a sampling of quotes from a variety of sources.




Islam

Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allah, does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in Faith? For Allah did take Abraham for a friend.

--Qur'an, Women, verse 125


Nor canst thou lead the blind out of their error. Thou canst make none to hear, save those who believe Our revelations and who have surrendered.

--Qur'an, The Ants, verse 81


Amongst us are some that submit their wills [to Allah], and some that swerve from justice. Now those who submit their wills--they have sought out [the path] of right conduct.

--Qur'an, The Jinn, Sprites, verse 72


Christianity

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path. Do not be wise in your own eyes.

--Proverbs 3: 5-6


Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!

--Luke 23:46


Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

--Luke 1:38


Is surrender important in your faith?


Hinduism

Surrender unreservedly. Either surrender because you admit your inability and require a higher power to help you, or investigate the cause of misery by going to the source and merging into the Self. Either way you will be free from misery. God never forsakes one who has surrendered.

--Sri Ramana Maharshi
20th-century Indian sage


Even though the devotee may have surrendered himself utterly to the Lord, he must not renounce action in the world but continue to perform it, giving up the fruits of action to the Lord.

--Aphorism 62 from The Narada Sutras
(The Philosophy of Love)


Judaism

I place my spirit in His care, when I wake as when I sleep. God is with me, I shall not fear, body and spirit in His keep.

--"Siddur Sim Shalom: A Prayerbook for Shabbat, Festivals, and Weekdays."


Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.

--Job 22:21


Buddhism

With the ego well-subdued in self-surrender, one can then find total refuge within, which otherwise is difficult to obtain.

--Dhammapada, Verse 160



Other Sources

Many of us said to our Maker, as we understood Him: "God, I offer myself to Thee--to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will."

--The "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous


Let go and let God.

--12-Step slogan


Love conquers all things; let us too surrender to Love.

--Virgil


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