Must I Give Up Everything?
A short response to a spiritual seeker.
A friend on a sincere spiritual path, currently in India, wrote to me inquiring about renunciation.
Is renunciation necessary for true freedom? Does it mean we cannot have dreams of things we might enjoy? I want true freedom in the core of my being and I do NOT want to denounce things and live in an ashram. This notion of letting go completely of all wants and desires is creating fear and suffering. I desire to live with God in this body with the human things of the householder.
I post my response here for readers drawn to such themes. This is also a way to honor Maha Shivaratri, occurring Friday, March 8. On this sacred festival, the master yogi Shiva is recognized as beyond name and form, as Consciousness, All-That-Is. These teachings are transmitted as an expression of jñāna yoga and Advaita (non-duality) wisdom.
Dear One,
I feel this would be much better met in the context of satsang. I very much understand your inquiry regarding renunciation. I’ll do my best to offer a few pointers here.
- Remember, renunciation is “internal.” It is not contingent upon external behaviors, of what appears to be happening in the story, in the world which is ephemeral.
- You as a separate individual ego, are not the doer. The identification with separate doership, with separate volition, is that which is lifted by grace. It is the ego which surrenders.
- What I hear in your inquiry still is the sneaking sense of entitlement (fulfillment of desires) rather than the knowing of “I WANT TO WANT WHAT GOD WANTS.” And how do we know what God/Consciousness wants? It is what is happening.
- So again, we renounce/surrender our puny ideas of what we think is right, or what we think will bring us happiness.
- And we realize that it is all part of the play, the lila.
- The suffering arises due to the seeking arising – the seeking of anything, any condition, any outcome, other than what is actually unfolding. It is always Now.
- Remember the teaching of the Baghavad Gita – you are required to do the thing that is exactly right here, right now – including following whatever movement, desire, inclination arises in the Now – AND you have no right to the fruits (rotten or scrumptious!) of any endeavor.
- Zero control. The illusion of control is one definition of suffering.
- Oh, and “your” dreams are part of the great unfolding. Move toward them as you wish and as it happens, without the slightest bit of blame or worry, because whether that dream/ ideal/ vision is realized has never been in anyone’s control.
I pray this is clear and helpful.
Much love,
Erin
P.S. Who is doing the giving up?
Really enjoyed this Erin, thank you.
As it happens I'm in India right now too, not for any reason, just because, yet I'm still fighting my endless list of should do's. Should get up, should go to bed, should do more yoga, should visit somewhere, should meditate, should write more, should feel more, should think less.
I didn't come here with a plan, but a plan still chases me! The need to always find something more. I'll let go eventually, perhaps the arrival of your post is part of that process.
Thank you also for introducing me to Mahashivaratri, I can't think of a more perfect beach than the one I'm looking at, to sit quietly tonight and enjoy the darkness. x
So helpful. I will read again over the the coming days. Thank you, Erin!