Doesn't Surrender to the Guru mean Losing one's Identity?

Robert Bob Cumming, an American and a University professor by profession had once come to Satsang Ashram at Deoghar to meet Sree Sree Thakur. In the course of their conversation, Robert asked," What happens when one surrenders himself to the Living Ideal or Guru?" Sree Sree Thakur replied," Then, the concern towards the Living Ideal becomes prominent in his life. His eyes, nose, face everything reveals the sayings and features of the Ideal. Sadhana comes to him automatically. He experiences seeing and feeling. He wants everything of his Ideal to be perfectly beautiful and acts accordingly. The word 'SURRENDER' has two parts: 'SUR' means above and 'RENDER' means 'to give'. That I have submitted myself on the feet of the Ideal means I have become completely HIS own. To surrender to Christ means to accept Christ. Why have I accepted HIM? Only to love and serve HIM. Hence for me Christ lies above everything. Surrender is the topmost position of love. Each and every facial expression of yours shall witness your love towards HIM, and you shall act automatically. Untottering love towards the Ideal shall make you like that."

Robert Bob Cumming was deeply moved by these words. After spending a few days at the Ashram, he took the initiation of Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra and accepted Sree Sree Thakur as his Guru. After taking initiation, Robert came to Sree Sree Thakur and said,"Thakur, you guide me." To this Thakur smilingly replied, "You love me and that love will dictate you how to be guided." ( Source: Smritir Maala by Sri Manilal Chakraborty.)

Vivekananda surrendered to his master, Lord Ramakrishna, yet he did not lose his identity. Instead, he is celebrated globally as a man of profound wisdom. Hanuman surrendered to Lord Ram. Did he lose his identity? Not at all. Rather today, he is revered by millions all over the world. Arjuna surrendered to Lord Krishna and far from losing his identity, he is remembered as one of the greatest warriors of his era. Shivaji surrendered to his Guru, Ramdas, and rather than losing his identity, he is acclaimed as one of the most illustrious emperors in history. Surrendering to a Master or Guru does not mean losing one's identity; instead, it allows one's identity to expand and life to shine.

Why not surrender to the Living Ideal? If we don't, we may find ourselves succumbing to greed today, lust tomorrow, and anger or jealousy the day after. Rather than yielding to our desires and complexes daily, wouldn't it be wiser to surrender to the True Master or Guru? Only the true Master can guide us on the path towards 'being and becoming'.

Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra says,"Surrender to His will. Don’t try to make Him yield to you, because He alone is beautiful to you.'' (Source: Satyanusaran)

He again says, "Surrender begins with unrepelling adherence to the Ideal. From there follows urge, which expresses itself in energy; Energy gets materialized in activity. The velocity of urge and energy determines the motion and output of work."