Ishvara Pranidhana

Stopped at a red light, I watched a flock of birds moving effortlessly in unison just yards in front of me. They rose together and swirled around a tree before diving gracefully toward the earth. I called to my grandson sitting in the back, “did you that? Wasn’t that amazing?”

“What? All the birds just followed the leader.” He was not impressed.

This exchange stuck with me for days. I was inspired to research it further.

The phenomenon of swarming or flocking is not unique to birds, but fish, insects and even animals. There are scientific and mathematical studies to determine the factors that create swarming behavior. The reasons vary among the species from migration for food to colonization. Swarming uses the simple model of moving in the same direction while remaining close and avoiding collision. 

I often think of this when watching bicyclists riding together. My husband is an avid cyclist, and I’m fascinated by his instinctual maneuvering on different terrains and traffic patterns. I need to practice and work on my skills just to go on an easy ride. More than my physical limitations, my mental blocks can paralyze me into a dead stop. How many times have I been told “just GO!”

Ishvara Pranidhana is the 5^th niyama, the observances included in Patanjali’s yoga sutras. Most commonly it is translated as “surrender.” Surrender to what? Across centuries of cultures and religions, there were many wars and lives destroyed over the differences in their answer. I’m not about to start another war.

I can only share my own experience.  I released the framework I was taught and began my own journey. In many ways, I have come back to a fuller understanding of those teachings. I am also free of holding onto a belief with stubborn defiance.

I found this freedom through my yoga practice. I explore my balance between will and surrender; holding strong and letting go. I slow down my movements, I slow down my breath, and then my thoughts naturally begin to slow. In time, I slow into stillness. It is in this space that I am free to fully surrender. I let GO.

When I am off my yoga mat, I continue the practice of surrender. In this sense, discernment is essential. I don’t advocate surrendering to whatever becomes present in life. Through yoga and meditation, I develop a stronger sense of self. I begin picking up subtle cues I used to miss. My distractions and ego-fueled fears burn away, and I gain clarity. I am closer to the true essence of life, of myself.

Now when I see birds swarm in their beautiful dance, I am even more enthralled.