This ones scares me. The only place this works is for small children because they have someone watching over them. As we age we are supposed to use our higher sensing skills to navigate life. I can tell when someone engages with me if they are trustworthy when their emotions and the words match. Little kids have this ability too. We all have it but we are taught in the system to not to trust ourselves and to trust those the system tells us to trust.
But the idea I trust life is unclear for me. I know too many people who have lost everything trusting unconditionally. We live in a era filled with scallywags in high positions that are selling us a future that does not exist. The last thing I think we should be doing is trusting that life brought them to us and that is enough to trust them unconditionally.
There is a half way point here. We figure out how to trust ourselves unconditionally and let that help us determine if this can be extended to others on a case by case basis. Unless you are your life then this has a different context. I am unclear exactly what it is you are proposing we trust unconditionally. Life itself is vague because if you don't have life there is no need for trusting, you are dead.
Trusting life unconditionally is increasingly being okay with things as they unfold. It's a trait that aids with a gradual surrender process that also coincides with a shift in identity of who you think you are. At least this my experience with it.
Can I ask you how you surrender? I trust myself to focus on the areas I need to known and navigate whatever is coming. My way of handling change is to go into it, understand it and address it. We seem very different in our ways of being. I know my way is partly driven by my need to understand it to share it with others who rely on me as a leader. But I am not sure I was ever given a choice on being any other way. So I wonder how other people get the way they are.
Thank you brother. This is exactly what I needed as a reminder today. You probably didn't intend to write it for me, but I feel like life unfolded just the way it needed to for me to read this right now. 😂
Nice article Scott. The practice of trusting life and accepting is closely related to the Stoic concept of the Dichotomy of Control. Learning to understand, to accept, that which one cannot control is truly the core of inner peace.
Nice! I'm less familiar with the philosophy of stoicism, but not surprise that such a perennial teaching exists across teachings that have lasted the test of time
Sep 12, 2023·edited Sep 12, 2023Liked by Scott Britton
Thank you for sharing this article. I enjoyed reading it. I see the point of Lillian's concern about unconditional trust in a world full of scammers, con artists, and other assorted bad actors. I like her recommendation of a "halfway point", but the problem could be defining its location. Trust is largely subjective and intuitive. To trust, one has to surrender thinking. The word "surrender" has negative connotations and is often interpreted as an act of accepting defeat. A better definition would be the practice of giving up the small, ego-centred self as the pivot of action and moving on to the larger, universal consciousness that sages have advocated. You are trading up a small tool for an immensely powerful one. Herein lies the value of meditation. It's the route to sensing this larger faculty: the "gateless gate," as Zen teachers would call it.
I think a really big distinction is this post is intended to address someone's internal reactions. What I am highlighting is a pathway to absolve yourself of inner turmoil, no a decision making approach to the outside world. This is separate from taking right action in the world. The act of surrendering to doubt for example, is a 30 second process that occurs entirely in your inner space. This doesn't mean you don't move through the world making decisions aligned with your health and well-being. You can accept your doubt and then avoid the trappings of a thief for example. This doesn't mean you aren't trusting. There is no polarity here if that makes sense
I so appreciate the dance between trust and doubt. I have a strong connection to a higher power that locks in trust whenever I call. But I still need to remember to call.
When I return to self-will I begin to doubt and I find doubt very uncomfortable. Of late I've been casting Doubt as a character in my identity. Doubt shows up and wants to interact so I interact with it. It can hold my ear and it can surround my heart with the jitters. The power is fascinating and if I pause long enough to be fascinated by it, something changes.
Which brings me to the way you describe it: "experiencing doubt". Bingo. Like "having" hunger. I am experiencing something in the same way I experience Barbie or tasting koji. Doubt is now a delicacy which I may or may not appreciate. But still an experience.
It strikes me as analogous maybe even the same as trusting in a benevolent higher power. The most fundamental Christian imperative for example is faith in God, that there is a plan one cannot possibly comprehend which any one individual can only play a tiny role. It is similarly, a surrender to have such faith and subordinate oneself.
I really have a hard time with this and will try your techniques. Thanks again
Thanks Ed. indeed, I think there is a reason why faith in something bigger than yourself (the ego) is such a ubiquitous idea. Though I think there's a lot of distortion in certain religions, I still think there is immense peace and benefit to having faith in something bigger than yourself. You might want to check out Michael Singers work
💡"You view the events around you as unfolding for a benevolent purpose, in perfect timing."
💡re: "...consciousness as a giant reference library."
"To change the composition of the library, you need to acknowledge and purify what’s there vs. just throw layers on top of it." 🤯
💡"If all we do is shrug our shoulders and “let go” when life brings you inconveniences or disturbances, I’m not sure the emergent level of trust is quite the same."
💡"The purpose of life is not to get your (conditioned) preferences met"💥
I am just finding you here (and on your podcast) after seeing your linkedin post. This article is exactly what I needed to read today. Have been resisting so much in my life and trying to control business externalities, striving, living in achievement focus, trying to “fix” a health diagnosis -- when my soul (and the universe) is clearly trying to gift me something else, or at least teach me patience. I 100% get what you are saying about surrendering to what is, instead of grasping or trying to control outcomes. Please write more about this. So very helpful, applicable and practical to those of us who are about 25% (or 50%) behind you on the journey. You’ve opened a door for me and I’m excited to start noticing my doubts, fears and resistance to surrender
This ones scares me. The only place this works is for small children because they have someone watching over them. As we age we are supposed to use our higher sensing skills to navigate life. I can tell when someone engages with me if they are trustworthy when their emotions and the words match. Little kids have this ability too. We all have it but we are taught in the system to not to trust ourselves and to trust those the system tells us to trust.
But the idea I trust life is unclear for me. I know too many people who have lost everything trusting unconditionally. We live in a era filled with scallywags in high positions that are selling us a future that does not exist. The last thing I think we should be doing is trusting that life brought them to us and that is enough to trust them unconditionally.
There is a half way point here. We figure out how to trust ourselves unconditionally and let that help us determine if this can be extended to others on a case by case basis. Unless you are your life then this has a different context. I am unclear exactly what it is you are proposing we trust unconditionally. Life itself is vague because if you don't have life there is no need for trusting, you are dead.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Lillian.
Trusting life unconditionally is increasingly being okay with things as they unfold. It's a trait that aids with a gradual surrender process that also coincides with a shift in identity of who you think you are. At least this my experience with it.
Can I ask you how you surrender? I trust myself to focus on the areas I need to known and navigate whatever is coming. My way of handling change is to go into it, understand it and address it. We seem very different in our ways of being. I know my way is partly driven by my need to understand it to share it with others who rely on me as a leader. But I am not sure I was ever given a choice on being any other way. So I wonder how other people get the way they are.
There's lots of great books out there that probably describe the surrender process better than I can. This one had a big impact on me https://www.amazon.com/Surrender-Experiment-Journey-Lifes-Perfection-ebook/dp/B00NDTUDOS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1694707273&sr=8-1
I also created this video series on the topic that outlines my thoughts in great depth https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLES4fRHpsqIXRDyQg2QWzeQGUbQtySF4S
Thank you brother. This is exactly what I needed as a reminder today. You probably didn't intend to write it for me, but I feel like life unfolded just the way it needed to for me to read this right now. 😂
Love hearing that! Amazing how life works like that ; )
Nice article Scott. The practice of trusting life and accepting is closely related to the Stoic concept of the Dichotomy of Control. Learning to understand, to accept, that which one cannot control is truly the core of inner peace.
Not that I have experience or anything :)
Nice! I'm less familiar with the philosophy of stoicism, but not surprise that such a perennial teaching exists across teachings that have lasted the test of time
Thank you for sharing this article. I enjoyed reading it. I see the point of Lillian's concern about unconditional trust in a world full of scammers, con artists, and other assorted bad actors. I like her recommendation of a "halfway point", but the problem could be defining its location. Trust is largely subjective and intuitive. To trust, one has to surrender thinking. The word "surrender" has negative connotations and is often interpreted as an act of accepting defeat. A better definition would be the practice of giving up the small, ego-centred self as the pivot of action and moving on to the larger, universal consciousness that sages have advocated. You are trading up a small tool for an immensely powerful one. Herein lies the value of meditation. It's the route to sensing this larger faculty: the "gateless gate," as Zen teachers would call it.
I think a really big distinction is this post is intended to address someone's internal reactions. What I am highlighting is a pathway to absolve yourself of inner turmoil, no a decision making approach to the outside world. This is separate from taking right action in the world. The act of surrendering to doubt for example, is a 30 second process that occurs entirely in your inner space. This doesn't mean you don't move through the world making decisions aligned with your health and well-being. You can accept your doubt and then avoid the trappings of a thief for example. This doesn't mean you aren't trusting. There is no polarity here if that makes sense
Self inquiry is a big one. I try and sit with my thoughts and feelings. Then release. It’s a practice.
Nice. It is a practice indeed!
I so appreciate the dance between trust and doubt. I have a strong connection to a higher power that locks in trust whenever I call. But I still need to remember to call.
When I return to self-will I begin to doubt and I find doubt very uncomfortable. Of late I've been casting Doubt as a character in my identity. Doubt shows up and wants to interact so I interact with it. It can hold my ear and it can surround my heart with the jitters. The power is fascinating and if I pause long enough to be fascinated by it, something changes.
Which brings me to the way you describe it: "experiencing doubt". Bingo. Like "having" hunger. I am experiencing something in the same way I experience Barbie or tasting koji. Doubt is now a delicacy which I may or may not appreciate. But still an experience.
Thank you for this meditation!
That’s it! The doubt is experienced but not who we are. I see it like a stamp on a cloak I am noticing on my body.
Appreciate you sharing your experience
Insightful piece, thank you.
It strikes me as analogous maybe even the same as trusting in a benevolent higher power. The most fundamental Christian imperative for example is faith in God, that there is a plan one cannot possibly comprehend which any one individual can only play a tiny role. It is similarly, a surrender to have such faith and subordinate oneself.
I really have a hard time with this and will try your techniques. Thanks again
Thanks Ed. indeed, I think there is a reason why faith in something bigger than yourself (the ego) is such a ubiquitous idea. Though I think there's a lot of distortion in certain religions, I still think there is immense peace and benefit to having faith in something bigger than yourself. You might want to check out Michael Singers work
This article and your concepts on surrendering have been extremely helpful in clarifying what it actually means.
I find it’s used often but also incredibly non specific.
Your process really makes sense to my overly analytical mind haha
Thank you !!
Thanks Jim! I found myself equally confused for awhile so glad you found this helpful!
Thank you, this is very helpfull
Thank you for this, Scott.
Really appreciate your work.
So many great bits of advice here 💥
💡"You view the events around you as unfolding for a benevolent purpose, in perfect timing."
💡re: "...consciousness as a giant reference library."
"To change the composition of the library, you need to acknowledge and purify what’s there vs. just throw layers on top of it." 🤯
💡"If all we do is shrug our shoulders and “let go” when life brings you inconveniences or disturbances, I’m not sure the emergent level of trust is quite the same."
💡"The purpose of life is not to get your (conditioned) preferences met"💥
Scott, who is your spiritual teacher?
Thanks Paul! Appreciate your support. My teacher is a part of the RenXue wisdom school https://www.renxueinternational.org/
Thanks, Scott
I am just finding you here (and on your podcast) after seeing your linkedin post. This article is exactly what I needed to read today. Have been resisting so much in my life and trying to control business externalities, striving, living in achievement focus, trying to “fix” a health diagnosis -- when my soul (and the universe) is clearly trying to gift me something else, or at least teach me patience. I 100% get what you are saying about surrendering to what is, instead of grasping or trying to control outcomes. Please write more about this. So very helpful, applicable and practical to those of us who are about 25% (or 50%) behind you on the journey. You’ve opened a door for me and I’m excited to start noticing my doubts, fears and resistance to surrender