Ishvara Pramidhana implies to live a life of dedication to your God or Creator.  This brings us to the big question of our modern times – is there a God?  What about non-believers on the path of yoga?

My personal insight to this question is, that no matter how we view creation, nature, our own coming to being and where we will go after this lifetime, no matter if we call our God by many names or by one only, or if we simply refer to the Unseen force that Creates and Takes us again, as Life Force, we are bound to this Prana.  It governs the universe, the cycles of life, it is the breath we fill our lungs with and we have no choice in this regards.

It doesn’t matter if we are willing to call God our Father, our Creator.  Just by the simple act of our breath, are we in surrendering to the governing of Nature.

This allows everyone with some insight into the concept of Ishvara Pramidhana.  There are things we simply do and have no need to despair over.  Like breathing.  It is an ongoing exchange with an energy that gives our bodies life, that gives us the chance to do (good) in this world.  Acknowledge that every breath, just by being, is already an act of surrendering to a Higher Force.  There are so many paths and names and ways towards knowledge and self-realization.  It is not to judge anyone on the path they have chosen to explore this lifetime.

So, when we understand we are in surrendering, we also understand that for the yogi, it means to be in constant exchange of this energy and this gives liberation from despair.  We do our part, staying enthusiastic and then surrender our deeds to the Higher Force.  It is so comforting, in a way, to have this letting go after the action was done.  It also brings a spiritual disposition of serve and makes selfish actions less.  Life becomes less and less about gratification and satisfaction.  We are depended on Nature (God) and interdependent on one another.

Ishvara Pramidhana helps to calm desires.  We are given everything we need and whatever else we are chasing after is a personal choice.  How wonderful is the out breath?  It allows for the steady sip of the next inhalation.

No matter what your beliefs, culture or tradition, or by what name you call Life Force.  It IS.  It is within every cell of your being.  Surrender and celebrate.  Serve and protect.  Love and Respect.  Let go of what separates you, embrace what brings together.  Let go of distrust and despair.  We are taken care off in the most minuteness of our cellular being.  Surrender and feel the lightness of being.