Aim:
To explain to young people the meaning of surrender, what it is, to whom we surrender and why.
Introduction:
To surrender we must discard and release anything that doesn't bring us closer to God-relisation, including our attachments, desires and emotions. In actual fact what do we have to surrender? We may not realise it, but everything is already His. We must surrender all our thoughts and actions to the Lord. This includes not wishing to reap the rewards of our actions. We must look upon our action as our duty and dedicate it and its results to the Lord.
"It is not a question of surrendering or giving to some one. One surrenders oneself. Recognition that the atma is oneself is surrender. Surrender really means the realisation that all is God, that there is nobody who surrenders, that there is nothing to be surrendered, nor is there anyone to accept a surrender. All is God. There is only God.".
- Conversation with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, page 93
If we truly look at our life you will see that when we leave things to God, we are happier. Knowing the past, present and furture of everyone means he knows what we deserve. He will take us to our goal, making it quicker and easier, as he is aware of both our strengths and weaknesses.
"Resign yourself into God's hands, let him give success or failure, ehat does it matter? He may be bent upon toughening you, or it may be for your own good in the long run.......Why judge?"
- Sathya Sai Speaks 3, page 93
"Surrender to me only. When that surrender is complete and all acts, words and thoughts are dedicated to the Lord along with all their consequences, then he has promised that he will free you from sin and sorrow."
- Sathya Sai Speaks 5, page 54
Quotations:
"When you want love of the Lord, you should be fully prepared to completely surrender yourself to the Lord. You should have no attachment to your body or pay attention to your honour or respect... Only then can you get close to the Lord."
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Summer Showers 1978, page 94
"However much you offer in surrender, it is not possible for you to enter God's abode without Srama (effort) and Dama (practice)."
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Summer Showers 1973, page 129
"Take one step towards me and I will inturn take one hundred towards you."
- Conversation with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, page 93
Activities:
1. List and discuss five key figures of society who have demonstrated surrender and how.
2. In a group, discuss how people know if they have truly surrendered.
3. Write a short essay on the benifits of surrender.
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