For me, submission is an invitation to let go of our ideas of freedom and mobility and to consciously participate with reality in a new way. In The Great Within psychologist Han F. de Wit explains stabilitas loci (or remaining in place) as a liberating practice. He writes:
'Many contemplative traditions contain the rule of not abandoning the monastic community or the place of retreat for shorter or longer periods (sometimes for life). If one follows this rule, it is almost always preceded by voluntarily taking a vow to keep to it.'
I envision such a voluntary vow being made to my future Goddess, to not abandon my surrender to her in any way. Much like a the yogi draws a certain line around his place of retreat and vows not to step outside it until he has completed a certain practice (sadhana), until he has reached enlightenment, or until death has reached him, or as Buddha himself sat down under the bodhi tree and vowed not to leave that spot until he had reached enlightenment, a vow to surrender with any meaning must remove all avenues for escape or reneging on the vow. de Wit explains it better and continues:
'The contemplative psychological function of this physical stabilitas and of the adherent vow is that we let go of the idea that we have an alternative, we give up the possibility of withdrawing. One of the characteristic aspects of ego is that it always wants to have alternatives available: ego reflects a mentality that always wants to keep an exit open and therefore can never come to complete surrender and acceptance. Through the vow of stabilitas loci, we confront and surrender an important part of that mentality. We say, “This is my place, my situation, and that is what I want to work with, however it develops, for better or for worse.”. . . The limitation that this discipline imposes on ego proves to have another element: a flourishing of self-confidence and strength of mind that enables us to be in the situation we are in without any reservations. What may seem claustrophobic or restrictive actually turns into vast and hospitable space.' [1]
It will be wonderful to find deep inner liberation in giving up my freedom. Through true surrender, I will no longer have the option to fill my life or myself up with outside experiences; I must simply “be” with myself and my Goddess, understanding that full surrender to her is all I want or need.
[1] Han F. de Wit, The Great Within: The Transformative Power and Psychology of the Spiritual Path (Shambhala Publications: 2019), 263–264.
