The Surrender Experiment

About the Author

Michael A. Singer, often known as Mickey Singer, is an American spiritual teacher, motivational speaker, and author. His journey is a fascinating blend of spirituality and success, a rare combination that he details in his book The Surrender Experiment. From humble beginnings as a hippie college student to becoming the CEO of a billion-dollar corporation, Singer attributes his life’s successes to a profound experiment: surrendering to what life offers without resistance.

Born in the 1940s, Singer's early life was marked by an internal struggle with the mind’s constant chatter. This struggle led him to explore meditation and spirituality, eventually founding the Temple of the Universe, a yoga and meditation center in Alachua, Florida. His teachings, rooted in his own life experiences, encourage a deep trust in the universe’s wisdom, advocating for surrendering personal preferences to align with life’s natural flow.

Main Idea

The central theme of The Surrender Experiment is the concept of surrendering to life’s flow rather than attempting to control it. Singer suggests that life, or the universe, is imbued with an intelligence far beyond our understanding. By trusting this intelligence and saying "yes" to the opportunities and challenges life presents, we allow life to unfold as it is meant to, often leading to outcomes far greater than we could have imagined.

This idea of surrender doesn’t imply passivity or giving up on desires. Rather, it involves aligning one's will with the greater will of the universe, recognizing that our personal preferences often obstruct the greater flow of life. Singer's life story is a testament to this philosophy, demonstrating how surrendering can lead to unexpected success, growth, and spiritual fulfillment.

Table of Contents

1. The Catalyst: Awareness of the Monkey Mind
2. Taming the Monkey Mind
3. Letting Go of Preferences
4. The Experiment in Action
5. Trust the Universe
6. Make Your Life an Act of Service
7. The Temple Is Founded
8. Wholeheartedness and Spiritual Heart
9. Overcoming Adversity

The Catalyst: Awareness of the Monkey Mind

Singer’s journey into surrender began with a seemingly mundane moment that sparked a profound realization. While conversing with his brother-in-law, he noticed his mind searching for topics to fill an awkward silence. This was the first time he consciously observed his internal monologue, which led him to recognize the distinction between his thinking mind and his observing self.

Fascinated by this discovery, Singer delved into meditation, seeking to quiet his mind. He found that the incessant mental chatter, often referred to as the "monkey mind" in Buddhist traditions, was a significant source of his discomfort. This realization set him on a path of exploring and eventually taming this restless mind through spiritual practices.

“I began to regularly and consciously observe my own thoughts, realizing that the true self was the one recognizing the voice, not the chattering voice itself.” — Michael A. Singer

Taming the Monkey Mind

In his quest to quiet his mind, Singer turned to meditation, a practice that became central to his life. Inspired by the teachings in The Three Pillars of Zen, he adopted meditation techniques that helped him observe his breath and mentally repeat the sound "mu". Over time, he extended his meditation sessions, finding solace in the stillness it brought.