The Art of Letting Go: Mastering the Journey to Deep Faith and Healing
Surrendering in faith isn’t a single, magical moment. It’s a continuous journey. It means gradually letting go, unlearning old habits, and handing over control. No one perfects it on the first or even the second try. This process demands a deep, expansive desire and longing.To truly surrender and heal, we need to open three areas within us simultaneously: our overactive mind, our guarded heart, and our tense body. This is the crux of spiritual work. And yes, just like going to the gym, spiritual work…takes work. But it’s also the work of the divine leading to profound clarity and insight.
Unlearning the Overactive Mind
Our minds are filled with opinions, judgments, and preconceptions. We think we know what’s best, but this “knowledge” often holds us back. True surrender requires us to dismantle these mental barriers, questioning what we think we know and opening ourselves to new perspectives.
This process involves challenging our assumptions and being open to the unknown. It’s about letting go of the need to control everything and embracing the uncertainty of life.
Opening the Guarded Heart
Our hearts, often closed off by past hurts and disappointments, must also open. It’s not easy to let down our defenses, but it’s essential for true healing. Opening our hearts means allowing ourselves to feel deeply—joy, pain, love, and loss. It’s about moving beyond fear and embracing vulnerability.
This openness is what makes surrender transformative. It’s about letting go of the fear of being hurt and embracing the full spectrum of human emotions.
Relaxing the Tense Body
Our bodies hold onto stress, trauma, and defensive postures. To surrender, we need to listen to our bodies and release these tensions. This involves practices like yoga, meditation, and mindful movement. By tuning into our physical selves, we can uncover and release deeper tensions, paving the way for true healing.
Incorporating daily routines that connect the mind and body fosters a holistic approach to personal growth. Surrendering the defensive body means engaging in practices that help us release and heal physically.
Personal Experience: The Power of Internal Work
During my internship in Clinical Pastoral Education, I realized the importance of internal work. We were taught that if we couldn't process our own emotions and thoughts, how could we possibly help our patients do the same? This intense period of introspection and emotional processing was crucial. It helped me understand that the journey of surrender and healing starts within. By doing the hard work of opening my mind, heart, and body, I became a better spiritual counselor, capable of truly empathizing with and supporting my patients.
Embracing Spiritual Work
This work of surrender is a collaborative effort between our will and the divine. As we open our minds, hearts, and bodies, we align ourselves with a greater force that guides us toward healing and enlightenment.
This surrender leads to profound clarity and deep insight. It’s about finding peace in the act of surrender, knowing that we are supported by something greater than ourselves.
Surrendering in faith is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of letting go, unlearning, and handing over control. It requires the simultaneous opening of our overactive mind, guarded heart, and tense body. This is the essence of spiritual work, guided by a higher power, leading to profound insights and healing.
As you reflect on your journey, consider these questions: What opinions and judgments can you let go of today? How can you open your heart to greater vulnerability and love? What physical practices can help you release tension and defenses in your body?
Remember, the path to surrender is a journey. Each step brings you closer to deeper faith and healing. Embrace the process and trust that you are supported every step of the way.
With Love - Gene Quiocho
