(Abbreviated excerpt from Spiritual Geography: The Country of Surrender)

After performing surgery on yourself without anesthesia in Illusion, you’ll be glad to know that in Surrender you have nothing to do. Here, you have only to sit still and let God find you. Sound easy? Do not be fooled. In Surrender, you’ll do the hardest work of all: you will, finally, let go. Get ready to release possessions that are no longer important, people who no longer feel comfortable, and beliefs that no longer make sense. Get ready to say “Goodbye.” Say it once, say it twice, say it a thousand times. Say it until you think you can’t say it anymore. Get good at saying “goodbye” because where you are going, Pilgrim, you won’t need the baggage.

Physical Terrain: Surrender is the largest country in Spiritual Geography because so much transformation takes place here. The primary feature is an endless plain with fields that stretch forever. Cutting North-South through Surrender is the long winding “River Goodbye.” In these waters you will release houses, money, relationships, possessions, expectations…anything and everything holding you back from your whole and holy self. Whether you seek them or not, miracles are coming your way in Surrender. To learn more about these startling and comforting experiences, climb “Miracle Mount,” a gently sloping hill at the northern source of “River Goodbye.”

Weather: There are no hiding places in Surrender. This is spiritual “big sky” country. God is looking for you and the weather cooperates with that divine mission by providing stark sunshine and wide open skies.

Emotional Landscape: You will begin the journey engulfed in panic. You will exit in a state of trust. In between you will experience constant internal turmoil over letting go, sadness that some of your “friends” are not real friends, and despondency over losing possessions and people you once found dear. As your journey continues you will slowly give up the need—and eventually the desire—to be in control. If this sounds impossibly hard, remember that you will experience bursts of joy when miracles happen—and they will happen.

Landmarks: Massive amounts of cleaning and clearing—and not just for women. Men, too will find themselves chanting a new mantra: get rid of it, get rid of it, get rid of it. You won’t be left empty-handed however. As you create room in your mental, emotional, and physical spaces, you’ll find new answers, new experiences, new people, and even new possessions coming your way. Once you make the connection between giving and receiving, you’ll start actively seeking to learn. You’ll discover and explore the true meaning of your divorce. As you experience miracles, you’ll uncover a deep inner appreciation for, and recognition of, all the miracles in your life. In short, you will become a trusting and more grateful soul.

Road Signs: Surrender is a place where God can—and will—find you. So the questions in Surrender all point to that inner place where you and Spirit meet.

Prayer Ticket: The essence of the work in Surrender is to study the concept of possession and learn that safety lies not in possessing things and people but in trusting that Spirit is in charge. This is not, not, not easy. Even though there’s nothing to do but the old saying, “let go and let God,” this is incredibly difficult and scary work—especially for Americans awash in things. Surrounded by our packed closets, cramped garages, oversized houses, rooms of furniture, multiple cars, checking accounts, and retirement savings, we think we are secure. We think the wolf cannot come to our doors. Therein lies one of the great gifts of divorce: We are forced to practice letting go. Spiritual seekers throughout the world study with great teachers to learn to release. Aren’t we lucky, Pilgrim, that divorce thrusts the practice of letting go upon us? Well, OK, so maybe you don’t always feel so “lucky.” On those days say this prayer:

Passport Entry Stamp: Your visa stamp to enter Surrender is a white flag flapping in a gentle breeze. Think about the symbolism. It is the ancient symbol of a deep act of wisdom and courage—surrender. This blank flag is the perfect emblem of your spiritual task in this profound country. Here you will let go. You will let go of your picture of how things should be. You will let go of things, people and even ideas that once seemed core to your existence. Some of these things will be taken from you and some you will choose to release. Either way, you will eventually recognize that you are not in charge. So who is? Surrender, and you’ll find out. Welcome, Pilgrim, to the all-important trust stage in your spiritual healing journey.

Exit: You’ll know you are ready to leave when you unhook yourself from emotional bondage to your former relationship, let go peacefully of all the people and things you no longer need, step aside and let Spirit be in charge. Even when things aren’t clear, (and here’s the scoop, Pilgrim: They’re never clear!) you will walk in a state of trust knowing that all is in divine order.