Swami advised us to dedicate all thoughts and aspirations to God and to surrender oneself to the Will of the Divine. He said surrender may appear to be difficult, but is not so. It is, in fact, like keeping one’s money in a bank. One will be able to draw money from the bank whenever one needs it. Similarly, when one has entrusted all one’s concerns to Bhagawan one can draw from Him whatever one needs.

What is that stands in the way of surrender? It is one’s ego. Swami said we do not have sufficient trust in the Lord. When the individual offers everything to God, this ego barrier is removed. Once one has earned the grace of God, one can feel secure and satisfied. One may be subject to calumny, insult or dishonor, one may be plunged into poverty or pain, but, Swami said, the person who has surrendered to the Will of the Lord welcomes each of these gladly and bears it with equanimity.

“I ask only that you turn to Me when your mind drags you into grief or pride or envy. Bring Me the depths of your mind, no matter how grotesque, or how cruelly ravaged by doubts or disappointments. I know how to treat them. I will not reject you. I am your mother.”

If everything is dedicated to the Lord, there will be no room for worry, sorrow or even joy. Perfect submission to His Will immediately brings us peace and bliss. This self-surrender is attained only by one’s ceaseless remembrance of Him and His attributes. Let us therefore consecrate our lives to Him and live for His sake, in thought, word and deed. He is our all. Love is the light of the spirit. Realize the light of the spirit and one is filled with love.

Surrender does not mean that the devotee and God are different. True surrender implies the sense of oneness with God. “Without you, I cannot exist,” should be the attitude of the devotee.

There are some who ask, “I have surrendered everything God. Why then am I subjected to so many trials and tribulations?” One who has truly surrendered to God will not raise such questions. To say: “After I have surrendered I am put to suffering” itself shows that the surrender is not real, because where is the place for “I” after surrendering everything? To the person who has completely surrendered, everything that he experiences (good or bad) is a gift from God.