Michael Singer - How Not to Close

Quick Overview

The core message of Michael Singer's discussion is that all emotional states—anger, peace, passion, and love—stem from the exact same underlying energy, which he terms Shakti, and that spiritual growth involves ceasing internal blockages that restrict this energy's flow rather than manipulating external circumstances to induce positive feelings.

Key Points: Shakti is the singular energy manifesting at different vibrations, equating to prana in the body or chi in the acupuncture system, and the word 'spirit' should be used synonymously with it. All emotional states like anger, deep peace, and passion derive from the exact same energy, only differing due to blockages or openings in the system; depression is simply a 'lack of shakti'. The speaker strongly refutes seeking external stimuli to feel good, stating, "It's not the blender. It's not the car. It's not the woman. It's not the man. It's you." Yoga is defined as "the science of Shakti," focusing on understanding and managing this internal energy flow rather than renouncing the world. The spiritual path involves stopping the creation of new blockages by paying attention to small daily irritations ('stupidest little things') and practicing resistance-free relaxation: "If I don't resist, I won't close." When blockages are released, the stored energy comes up, causing temporary discomfort or fear, which is a sign of growth, not regression; the goal is to become a 'letting go machine' to achieve unblocked flow. The highest stage involves letting go of the sense of individuality (ego) to merge with the source, moving from being the river to becoming the ocean.

Context: Michael Singer discusses the nature of internal energy, which he labels 'Shakti,' drawing parallels to concepts like prana and chi, to explain the mechanics behind human emotional experience. The central context is a spiritual teaching framework, heavily rooted in yogic principles, that contrasts psychological coping mechanisms with the path of energetic purification to achieve sustained inner well-being, independent of external conditions.