Types of Surrender

Some people surrender to God because they are scared; they fear the consequences of rebelling against His will, and thus embrace surrender to preserve their comfort and security. Others surrender to God out of helplessness; having tried everything else, they see no other recourse or option. Some surrender with selfish motivations in mind; they know that a powerful superior can help them achieve what they want.

Beyond all such types of surrender, is a spontaneous surrender out of love. This kind of surrender, which is what Krishna recommends, is total and perfect – completely aligning our will with the Supreme will, knowing the happiness of the Lord is not separate from our own. Jesus Christ, for example, surrendered totally and willfully. On the cross his last words were, “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke, 23.46)