RESIGNATION VS. ACCEPTANCE

I desire not to desire, for my will is without value, since I am ignorant in any case. Therefore choose Thou for me what Thou knowest to be best and do not put my perdition in what my autonomy and free choice prefer. -- Bayazid Al-Bistami

I've come across this quote before, and every time I do, it sings to me. I either love it or maybe I just love the idea of it because desiring not to desire is akin to trying to unthink a thought...impossible! And, by the way, is precisely what we do every time we beat ourselves up for beating ourselves up.

For why I don't know, but I'm reminded of the difference between resignation and acceptance. When we resign our self to, say, a really bad habit, we commit our self to that bad habit. We give in to that bad habit on the grounds that "I can't help myself."  Indeed, relying on our self alone, we cannot.

On the other hand, with acceptance, like surrender, we give up to a power other than our own self because "I can't help myself."  It is that power that we surrender to, providence if you will, that lifts our burden of self and walks us free.

I tend to think of resignation as negative energy or self will and acceptance as positive energy or God's will.

Chose you this day whom ye will serve. -- Joshua 24:15

Thank you.