Ishvara Pranidhana

What does it mean to surrender to one's True Self?  Probably not what we imagine it to mean...  How does one go about surrendering to one's own self?   The answer is definitely not what we think....
To surrender to one's self is not a matter of simply submitting yourself to all that is beautiful and wonderful within you, but it is to also give up those beautiful images that we have of ourselves.  It is both the beautiful and ugly aspects of ourselves that are equally untrue.  Beneath the notions of beautiful and ugly, is a formless, shapeless, empty fullness that is truly who one is.  Allowing any image we have of our selves to be sunk into that Mystery...is to truly surrender to one's True Self.

We'd love to hear about what Ishvara Pranidhana means to you?  Has there been a moment of realization that you've experienced related to this niyama that you'd like share?

Sweet Surrender - Ishvara

Ishvara can be defined as the True Self, or purusha.  The Bhagavad Gita stanza 18.61 refers to the "transcendental Self that abides in the heart region of all beings".   Pranidhana is to "throw down", "give up", or "surrender".   So, the last of our niyamas (yogic guidelines for living) Ishvara Pranidhana is to surrender to what is True within each of us.

As we shine the light of awareness on our lives through yogic practices, we give up attachments to egoic pursuits, identities, patterns, and delusions.  We live from Heart, Truth-- staying sincere to what is True to our experience with curiosity and interest and Love.   With bhakti/devotion, exploring freedom from the ignorance/avidya of living a contrived life of shoulds, expectations, and attachments.

Simpy living a life devoted to surrendering each moment to Truth.  To what you KNOW to be True in your Heart.  This Truth can not be taught, but only experienced.  The yogic practices may or may not ready you for the experience of Truth, depending on your sincerity.