The practice of spiritual surrender is a complete sadhana (spiritual path). It is sufficient by itself to ensure self-realization. Complete surrender requires a range of spiritual disciplines for its success. Control of the ego is essential, and with that control come humility and equanimity. Surrender requires faith and devotion to the Lord. Faith engenders fearlessness and devotion nurtures love for all God’s creatures. Patience and effort contribute to the accomplishment. These qualities ensure a life of service to others.

At the end of our journey, we find that the goal was always within our reach. There was no other one to surrender to, for our own nature is God. There is nothing to be known and nothing to be done. There is none other than God in all the wide creation.

So long as there is this distinction in the mind of the individual between God on the one hand and ‘I’ of the individual on the other hand, this cannot be accepted as complete surrender. So long as this duality is evident, one cannot accept the situation as complete surrender.

Summer Showers 1972

The constant remembrance of God enables us to see God in all, for everything is the play of the Lord. When we remember the Lord always, we see him in all things. No more is required from us than sincere faith and patience. Surrender requires no special qualifications or prerequisites – just trust in the Lord.

As a sign of this deed of surrender and in order to sustain it, nothing more is enjoined than constant remembrance of the name. No regiment of exhausting sadhana is prescribed. Smarana (remembrance) is enough.

Sathya Sai Speaks 9