The Surrender Experiment

Singer visits his ex-wife Shelly in California and discovers the image of an Indian yoga master, Baba Muktananda. The deep peace and energy he feels while meditating in front of Baba’s pictures strikes Singer profoundly. Returning to Florida, his neighbor Rama Malone, also a follower of Baba, insists that Singer invite him to Gainesville during his upcoming U.S. tour. Though reluctant and embarrassed by the idea, Singer surrenders to the flow of life and mails the invitation.

Months later, a representative of Baba’s group visits Singer to discuss hosting a weeklong event. Despite the challenges of organizing such an event with limited resources, the possibility of Baba’s visit energizes the spiritual activities in Singer’s life, including his teaching at Santa Fe Community College and the growing Sunday meditation group. A woman named Donna Wagner, who becomes increasingly involved in organizing the Sunday gatherings, ultimately moves into the woods near Singer’s house. Singer reflects on how life, unbeknownst to him at the time, is guiding him towards falling in love, marrying Donna, and starting a family, even though he has always been focused on his spiritual path of solitude.