Chapter 1: The Surrender Experiment

My top spiritual read in the last five years has been Mickey Singer’s The Surrender Experiment. This insightful book chronicles Singer's choice, made in his twenties, to embrace life as it comes. Instead of resisting or demanding specific outcomes, he opted to accept whatever the universe presented. To illustrate this, consider an anecdote from his life.

One summer, Mickey decided to spend a month at a spiritual retreat in California. Upon returning to his property in Florida, he discovered a female friend had taken it upon herself to start constructing a home there.

Navigating Unexpected Circumstances

Every instinct urged Mickey to confront her and demand she leave. However, he had committed to surrendering to life's flow, so he remained silent. In fact, he even assisted her in finishing the house!

The twist? Shortly after, this friend’s acquaintance, Donna, moved in with her. Donna would eventually become Mickey's wife and the mother of his child. All of this unfolded because Mickey chose to overlook his initial reactions.

The Challenge of One Day

Mickey’s practice of surrender has spanned fifty years. Asking you to commit to this for a lifetime might be overwhelming. Instead, how about trying it for just one day? Today, I’m embarking on this journey.

If you’re reading this before noon, I encourage you to dedicate the remainder of your day to surrendering. If it's after noon, start your surrender experiment tomorrow.

Defining the Experiment

To give clarity to this endeavor, let's outline what surrendering looks like through examples:

• If your boss requests you work over the weekend, resist the urge to decline or make excuses. Surrender.
• If your partner suggests a restaurant you're not keen on, surrender to their choice.
• If your child interrupts your work, pleading for a trip to the store for art supplies, surrender to their request.

If this seems absurd or impossible, remember: we’re only trying this for a single day. Our goal is to flow with life, akin to a leaf drifting down a river.

Setting Boundaries for the Experiment

It's essential to clarify what this experiment does not include. For instance, if you're walking with your child and someone attempts to abduct them, protect your child at all costs. Similarly, if you’re facing an urgent deadline at work, prioritize your responsibilities over the art supplies trip.

Final Thoughts

This experiment, even if just for a day, represents a significant shift. It embodies a core principle of many spiritual teachings: not letting our desires dictate our actions. Most people live by their wants and aversions, which limits their experience.

Join me in this exploration of surrendering to the universe for one day. I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!

Try my simple, free meditation program at davidgerken.net.

Chapter 2: Insights on Surrender

Exploring further, we can learn from others who have embraced the concept of surrender.

Let It Go! Surrender to Happiness with Michael Singer delves into the transformative power of surrendering to life. Michael Singer shares insights that can help you understand the profound effects of letting go.

In Let Go of Yourself and Surrender to Life, Michael Singer discusses the importance of releasing your ego and embracing life's journey. This wisdom can guide you in your own surrender experiment.