The Surrender Experiment - Michael A. Singer

Question 1

What is the simple question at the heart of the Surrender Experiment?

Answer 1

Am I better off making up an alternate reality in my mind and fighting with reality to make it be my way, or am better off letting go of what I want and serving the same forces of reality that managed to create the entire perfection of the universe around me?

Question 2

What is “the voice” that’s always talking inside?

Answer 2

Not me…something I’m watching.

Question 3

What is the question that came to Michael in complete silence?

Answer 3

DO YOU OR DO YOU NOT WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS BEYOND YOU?

Question 4

What are the steps Michael took when he sat down to write his final paper in his Economics course?

Answer 4

1. Began by telling himself he didn’t care about the grade / result
2. He then told himself to just start writing whatever he thought about the topic
3. He began to write, and thoughts began to flow. He did not worry about what he was writing or second-guess his thoughts…very much like meditation.
4. He kept his personal self out of it completely and just let the unbridled inspiration flow (55)

Question 5

Instead of trying to free yourself by constantly quieting the mind, what should you do instead?

Answer 5

Ask why the mind is so active: what is the motivation behind all the mental chatter? Remove the motivation, and the struggle is over. (53)

Question 6

What is the decision that comes out of acceptance with regard to personal preferences?

Answer 6

DECIDE: From now on, if life unfolds in a certain way, and the only reason you are resisting it is because of a personal preference, LET GO of your preference and let life be in charge. (54)

Question 7

What are the two steps of surrender?

Answer 7

1. Let go of the personal reactions of like and dislike that form inside your mind and heart, and
2. Look to see what is being asked of you by the situation unfolding in front of you. (65)

Question 8

What question can you ask to help clarify your course of action?

Answer 8

“What would you be doing if you weren’t being influenced by the reactions of like or dislike?” (65)

Question 9

Does more and more discipline truly lead to freedom?

Answer 9

No. The lower aspect of yourself is not the enemy to be destroyed. You can use his disturbed personal energies for your ascent. He is both the problem and the solution. (70) Just relax, instead of fighting with the mind so much (71)

Question 10

What happened to help finance the Temple of the Universe?

Answer 10

Money just kept showing up in exactly the right amounts to go to the next step.

Question 11

What was Michael’s formula for success in business?

Answer 11

Do whatever is put in front of you with all your heart and soul without regard for personal results. Do the work as though it were given to you by the Universe itself–because it was. (133)

Question 12

What are the two distinct aspects of what we call mind? What does spiritual work do?

Answer 12

1, The logical, thought-driven mind that links together what we already know into complex patterns of thought with logical solutions

2. Intuitive, inspiration-driven mind that can look at a problem and instantly see a creative solution.

Spiritual work opens the door to almost constant inspiration.

Question 13

How should you look at the “storms” of life?

Answer 13

If you can handle the winds of the current storm, they blow in some great gift (160)

Question 14

What is your only job?

Answer 14

To simply continue surrendering and serving what is put in front of you (203)

Question 15

What should you do when someone tries to hold you hostage?

Answer 15

Fire them. If you let people hold you hostage, they will force you to make terrible decisions, and you will lose. (208)

Question 16

What should you do if you see any weakness, ear, or anxiety come up?

Answer 16

Relax back into where you are watching from (213)