🧘 Letting Go and Trusting Life's Flow

"The Surrender Experiment" is an autobiographical account by Michael A. Singer that chronicles his life-altering journey of surrendering to the flow of life. Singer recounts his experiences from a pivotal moment in his early twenties, where he recognized the internal voice, to the creation of a thriving yoga community and a multimillion-dollar software company, all while practicing non-resistance. The narrative follows Singer's embrace of unexpected opportunities and challenges, from building a meditation hut that evolves into something grander to navigating the complexities of corporate mergers and legal battles. Through it all, Singer maintains a commitment to letting go of personal preferences, allowing life to guide him towards spiritual growth and unforeseen success, with the book's purpose seemingly being to show others to do the same.

Timeline of Events

• 1970 (Winter): The author experiences an inner awakening, becoming aware of the "voice" inside his head.
• Early 1970s:The author explores the "voice" in his head, reading psychology and talking to anyone who will listen
• Mark Waldman introduces the author to "Three Pillars of Zen" by Philip Kapleau, which provides guidance on quieting the mind.
• The author experiences a breakthrough meditation experience in Ocala National Forest with Shelly and friends, experiencing silence and deep peace.
• The author lives by a lime pit, meditating and becoming a hermit.
• The author takes a solo trip to Mexico, meditating and focusing on his breath.
• The author meets Mexican cowboys, discovering something special after letting go of himself.
• The author begins living at April Gift Estates.
• 1971:Bob Gould and Bobby Altman help the author build a meditation hut (house).
• November: The author moves into his new house. Kerry and Harvey visit for Thanksgiving.
• 1971 Onward:The author establishes a strict meditative lifestyle, waking at 3:00 a.m.
• Bob Merrill gives the author "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda, leading to further spiritual insights.
• The author teaches economics classes, experiencing a "no-shirt" incident and encountering Dr. Goffman.
• Dr. Goffman tells the author about the opportunity to be the economics expert for the president of the new Santa Fe Community College.
• The author opens a public finance textbook, surrendering to fate before a test.
• Sandy Boone starts meditating on the author's property and eventually brings friends.
• The author acknowledges his personal issues and energies for his ascent.
• 1973 (Summer):Bob Tilchin asks the author to visit Jerry at Union Correctional Institution (UCI), leading to the creation of a Buddhist group in prison.
• 1970s (Mid):The author meets with Baba, experiencing shaktipat and a profound transformation.
• The Temple of the Universe is established.
• Amrit encourages people to meditate daily at the author's property.
• Deputy Knowles asks the author to help with a building project.
• A man offers the author a builder's license at the Temple.
• The author meets Jim Owens at the bank and obtains a construction loan.
• The author meets Tom Jenkins and builds a custom home within walking distance of where he lives.
• David (Creature) joins the author's prison meditation classes and becomes a leader.
• Amrit visits David in solitary lockup at the Rock.
• 1978 (Fall): The author unknowingly begins his programming career, marking a pivotal change.
• 1979: The author is programming and getting calls from Radio Shack.
• 1980: The author focuses Personalized Programming on the medical industry and begins writing The Medical Manager.
• Unknown year: The author flies out-of-town with James.
• Unknown year: The author meets Ram Dass at the retreat.
• Late 1980s: The author leases land from Wilbur to preserve woods. The author leases a property after purchasing a community.
• October 1990: The author receives a call about an eighty-five-acre property for sale that borders Temple property.
• Unknown year: The author buys the "perfect" house and moves in.
• Zoning Issues (Approximate timeline placement inferred):A zoning inspector shows up, leading to the need to find a new location for the business.
• The author meets Tim Staley, a software developer and senior IT consultant.
• Early 1997: Personalized Programming merges with other companies and has an IPO as MMGR on the NASDAQ exchange.
• Time of Book Narration:The author is now CEO and flies in a private jet to Midway, Texas to discuss a billion-dollar merger with Synetic's chairman, Marty Wygod.