“Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life be Revelation.”
~Eileen Caddy
My natural inclination is to be a little on edge. I don’t trust easily. I want to know what I don’t know, and I’m rarely willing to take anyone’s word for anything – I need to have the direct experience myself. This made me an interesting child to raise, as you might imagine.
A Reflection on Trust
But recently, I’ve been reflecting on trust, and it’s been a beautiful exploration. When the tendency to be on guard arises, when I am indecisive and doubtful, I consider the possibility of trust. And I see, with a huge sigh of relief, that I can simply relax. I can let go of the need to figure everything out. I can have confidence that something way more intelligent than my thoughts is at play.
Trust and faith go hand in hand. I’m not talking about blind faith or sinking into passivity. Not the faith where you cling to a belief in something. But faith that the life force that animates everything is trustworthy, that there are no mistakes, that I can surrender personal control and let myself be carried.
That I can put down the struggle along with my needs, desires, and fears, and melt into being. I have faith, and trust, that when I stop trying to live, I am perfectly alive. No effort needed.
My holiday gift to you…
…is an invitation to trust. Especially at this time of year, maybe you will discover that you don’t have to expend nearly as much energy as you thought. Maybe you can relax and let yourself be carried.
Can you trust that you will know exactly what you need to know at just the right time?
No need to keep deliberating.
Can you trust the intelligence that is operating right now?
You don’t have to figure it all out.
Can you look outside your thinking mind for clarity?
Maybe clarity is already here.
Can you trust that your life circumstances are here for your awakening?
They are helping you see where you are stuck or attached.
Can you trust that there are no mistakes?
Reflect on how you might be resisting.
Can you trust that life is naturally generous?
It gives us exactly what we need, not necessarily what we think we need.
Are you willing to let go and trust?
Enjoy the holidays! Love to all,
Gail
Lance says
Gail,
Maybe this isn’t exactly what you had in mind (then again, maybe it was), although I think that it very much relates.
I’m headed out of town for a few days, and there’s one part of our trip that is a little bit up in the air. My tendency is to want to figure this all out before we go, and to at least be involved in coming up with a plan. In this case, though – I’m taking a step back, and leaving this to my wife and her sister – and trusting with faith in what they come up with.
At first, this was a challenge. Today, though, there is a sense of peace in all of this – and in being okay with whatever this leads to…knowing it is all good…
Gail, may your holidays be filled with much happiness and joy…something you spread so beautifully in this place…
Much love to you,
Lance
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Discover Your Next Step =-.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Lance,
This is exactly what I meant. It is these everyday moments in common situations that can make a difference. Beautiful to hear how you chose to trust!
Wishing you and your family so much peace and joy. You are a treasure, Lance.
Lots of love to you…
Debbie Hampton says
Thank you for this beautiful post. I felt myself just relax and exhale while reading it.
I have a great deal of uncertainty in my future and I can tend to get anxious about it all. I especially like this one:
Can you trust that you will know exactly what you need to know at just the right time?
Continually striving to just let everything unfold in its own time and make conscious decisions in the moment.
.-= Debbie Hampton´s last blog ..Poison Ivy of the Mind =-.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Debbie,
It is such a teaching to have uncertainty about the future. In fact, none of us ever knows what will happen.
I love hearing about your interest in letting things unfold. The only way we actually live life is moment by moment.
Sending love…
Galen Pearl says
This is so timely. I just explained on another site that I am presently deep in the process of group discernment as a member of the pastor search committee for my church.
Once before, I was on the search committee for the executive director of a nonprofit of which I am a board member. We were guided in the process by an excellent consultant and chose an amazing person. However, it lacked the component of spiritual discernment with which my church committee is charged.
I have found this process of group spiritual discernment over the last months to be a faith awakening and faith deepening experience. When we find ourselves getting anxious, confused, frustrated, or fatigued, we recognize that we have lost our sense of trust. When we come back to a foundation of faith, calm is restored, trust is enlivened (as fear fades), and confidence manifests that we will find the right person at the right time.
On a more personal level, I am in transition now from my 30 year career (20 in my current position) to retirement in May. These are good questions to focus on in those moments when the unknown future seems a bit scary!
Thank you!
.-= Galen Pearl´s last blog ..Turning Toward Light =-.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Galen,
This process you are in the midst of sounds so full and respectful. I’m certain you will find the right person, and I am also certain that the process you are engaged in is serving you and your committee well.
It is so human to be afraid of the unknown. Exploring this fear and the thoughts that spin off from it is the doorway to freedom.
Thanks so much for your contribution here.
Rachna says
Another refreshing post! Thanks for the wonderful holiday gift of such meaningful words.
.-= Rachna´s last blog ..The Testimony of LoVe =-.
Gail Brenner says
You are most welcome, Rachna. Enjoy!
Big Zen says
This is very true, whenever I look back in time I realize it’s almost impossible to predict the future and yet the temptation is often to try and control everything. Thanks for the post it’s very valuable advice.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Big Zen,
Great insight to realize that we are tempted to control the uncontrollable. When we see what doesn’t work, there is more of a likelihood that we will give it up. Investigating to drill down to the truth of our motivations and thoughts is so useful in this regard.
I wish you well…
Armen Shirvanian says
Hi Gail.
I am certainly going to give this a try at some future time. It is a big deal to let go and allow yourself to be carried as you describe here, and I don’t think I am ready for that yet. I understand that there are substantial benefits derived from letting go in this way, because then things flow much more smoothly. People you deal with become less defensive, and more folks are likely to want to congregate with you.
It is somewhat hard for me to see that there are no mistakes, but I do know about the concept of viewing them as lessons instead of mistakes. I view some as lessons now, but still see some as mistakes.
Happy holiday time right back at you.
.-= Armen Shirvanian´s last blog ..The 12 Days Of Posts – An Element Of Success =-.
Gail Brenner says
I love your authenticity, Armen, and appreciate you for that.
You obviously see great benefit in cultivating trust. I imagine that it will sink into your experience with time.
It’s beautiful to learn from the things we experience. No need to be concerned about whether they are mistakes or not. Just align with love, with peace, and follow what makes you happy, and everything will take care of itself.
Sending love….
Keith Davis says
Hi Gail
You sound a bit like me…
” I want to know what I don’t know.”
Trouble is, there is a lot that I don’t know.
One of my favourite quotes is from the Batman TV series.
Robin says to Batman… “Gee Batman is there anything you don’t know?”
To which Batman replies… “Yes Robin, there are several things.”
For most of us, there are more than several things, so it can make life difficult.
Sorry I never got as far as the Trust element of your post.
Maybe next time.
BTW – love the graphics you use on your posts.
.-= Keith Davis´s last blog ..Look for the Shining Eyes =-.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Keith,
What I have discovered is that my mind is what wants to know, and of course everything is not knowable. When I realize the futility of trying to know, I find the relaxation and effortlessness of aligning with what is actually true – not knowing anything about events and circumstances of the world. It’s a letting go into the flow that is already here.
Exploring, and befriending, the unknown is one of the sanest things we can do.
No worries about not getting to trust. I “trust” that you have read exactly what you need to.
Alex Jay says
Gail,
I am so happy I found a link to this website via a tweet… What an absolutely spot on and well written post. I think that if followed will deliver peace, tranquility and deeper connections. Its been my experience that the only reason people try to figure out how to solve problems is if they plan to have the problem again.
Kind Regards,
Alex Jay
http://www.bustingbeliefs.com
Gail Brenner says
Welcome to you, Alex! And thank you for your comment and kind words.
I think you meant to say that trusting could lead to peace, tranquility, and deeper connections, and I totally agree. Then striving to solve problems is seen to be not so useful. I see this so clearly in my own life. Trying to find the answer to something doesn’t seem to be related to discovering the answer. But if I am open, creating a space where the answer can appear and listening for it, it comes in its own time. Realizing this has helped me be more patient for sure, and my path is more aligned to truth.
Heartfelt holiday wishes to you…
Andrea DeBell says
Hi Gail! Very timely. On the winter solstice day, we did a special meditation at my work to come up with inspiration and two words for the 2011. The to words that came to me were Surrender and Trust. And here is your post on letting go and trust.
My intention was to surrender my life even more to the universe while trusting that the best outcome to all things was always present.
Thanks for this beautiful reminder! Loving blessings and may you have a magical 2011!
.-= Andrea DeBell´s last blog ..The Unique Joys of a Simplified Christmas =-.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Andrea,
I love how we get exactly what we need! Your two words: surrender and trust. And so beautiful that your wish or prayer is to surrender the personal to the universal. This is in alignment with the essential truth of our being, and a wonderful way to start the new year.
So much love to you and your family…
Joy says
Hi Gail,
I love what you present here. I live a heart led life and allow for natural unfolding to a degree that sometimes surprises many. It has a lot to do with following my intuition and tapping into the energy/abundance of the universe. Sure, there are moments of what if’s and doubt, but when those moments occur, I take that as my signal to open my heart even farther to the moment as it is being presented.
I would say to Armen, baby steps are awe-some, perhaps letting go in just one small area will then inspire him to let go in others.
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Creating with Intention =-.
Gail Brenner says
What a beautiful testimony to trusting, Joy. I love this: a heart led life. And yes, it can defy convention and surprise others.
What if’s and doubts come, and they are a decision point. We can feed them and turn away from the truth, or we can trust and open even further. And taking it in baby steps is great advice for everyone.
Love to you, my friend…
Chris Akins says
Very nice Gail,
I recently wrote a post entitled “Fear will get you hurt” which addresses some of the same issues in a slightly different way. The gist is that sometimes it pays to simply let go and trust. Sometimes that means trusting yourself, and sometimes it means trusting others.
Thank you.
Chris
Gail Brenner says
Hi Chris,
I loved your article on fear – here is the link. Your point about trust is right on. Getting out of the prison of fear requires trusting that things will unfold in just the right way.
Christopher Foster says
Way to go Gail.
Trust is at the very core of our own true character. It’s not a naive kind of trust. It’s “organic” trust born of the inspiration and impulse of our own spirit and it’s available to us freely in every moment.
It’s a great pleasure to share with you in the increasing experience of trust and the true friendship it helps bring into the world.
.-= Christopher Foster´s last blog ..What’s in store for you in 2011 =-.
Gail Brenner says
I love your words about trust, Chris.
I’ve so appreciated your friendship this year. Loving blessings to you and yours…
jonathanfigaro says
“Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life be Revelation.”
What a great post. Living life in the present moment. Is the only way to live. great post.
Gail Brenner says
I’m glad you liked this post, Jonathan. I love that quote also – a wonderful reminder to live by intuition and inspiration, and not by fear and mental activity.
I wish you well…
Zen Walker says
Hi, Gail
Thanks for this very inspiring post! There is a very popular song here in Brazil, “Deixa a vida me levar” (Let the life carries me) that is about living in such state of gratitude and trust:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFFMR9xQRrQ
Greetings from Brazil!
Gail Brenner says
Welcome from Brazil, ZW!
Loved the video. I couldn’t understand the words, but I love the title: ‘Let life carry me.” I can feel into that, and the surrender is so relaxing.
Thank you so much for visiting. Love to you…
J. K. Rahn says
I see trust as something to do when things get too complicated to figure out – especially if there are multiple unknowns. However, my logical mind has a place in this and should be used when possible – too many random trusters end up badly – so, I think the rational mind should be employed to its limits. But, that still leaves a lot of room to worry, be fearful, to cycle the same decisions over and over, etc.
My experience is that if I just count on what I sometimes call, “The Universe” in these otherwise unsolvable situations, great things will happen.
In the past few weeks several things that I assumed I truly wanted to do have been taken off the table – an art I wanted to pursue, a place I wanted to spend time at and some public speaking. Without hesitation I am joyful for these supposed losses because, in my life that is a high indicator of something awesome taking their places.
Gail Brenner says
This is such a beautiful description of trust, JK – counting on the “Universe,” trusting that something awesome will come even in the face of loss, surrendering when things get complicated. What a relief that we don’t have to figure it all out!
Lucy says
I liked what you said in that you had to experience things yourself and I totally agree. I don’t think it’s not trusting to want to experience things itself because although other people may say this, may say that, I believe, everyone emotions/reactions/experiences will be different. An example could be a man/woman cheated on their partner in the previous relationship. That’s not to say it will happen in the next relationship. The next relationship could be the better fit but people will warn others.
I know my Dad would often say about learning from other people’s mistakes, but I personally need to learn the feeling of doing something and experiencing it because otherwise I simply don;t grow as a person. it’s not that I don’t trust, I do trust. I trust myself to listen to what’s right for me, which in most cases won’t be right for others and vice versa.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Lucy,
I love hearing that you trust yourself to learn from whatever you experience – and recognize that what is right for you may not be right for others. We all walk our own path, and there is always the potential for learning – if we choose to see things from that perspective.