# Michael Singer - What to Do When You Are Not Meditating Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylfg9WupsMM Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/ylfg9WupsMM Generated: 2025-11-10T14:15:13.52+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Michael Singer asserts that what to do when you are not meditating is to simply remain conscious of the entire field of experience—thoughts, emotions, body, and senses—without trying to suppress or manipulate any of it, recognizing that this state of non-dual awareness is the natural state and the source of true joy and freedom, which is superior to artificially chasing spiritual highs or avoiding negative feelings. **Key Points:** - The primary instruction for when not actively meditating is to maintain awareness of the entire field of experience (thoughts, emotions, body, senses) without trying to manipulate or suppress anything. - This state of non-dual awareness, where the observer is conscious of everything happening simultaneously, is presented as the natural state, contrasting with the ego's desire for specific spiritual experiences. - Michael Singer references his book, 'Living Untethered,' and the concept of 'Prajna' (wisdom) or 'Dharana' (concentration) to illustrate this constant awareness. - The speaker contrasts this natural state with the ego's attempts to control experience, such as trying to force feelings of ecstasy or trying to suppress fear or anger, calling these efforts a form of dualistic struggle. - He quotes the Bible ('Man shall not live by bread alone') and the Yoga Sutras ('River of Holy Waters') to support the idea that the source of all positive experience (joy, love, creation) is the underlying consciousness itself. - The speaker advises against seeking specific spiritual states or trying to avoid negative emotions; instead, one should simply observe them as they arise and pass, maintaining awareness of the whole field. - The ultimate goal is to stop being distracted by the contents of experience (like past negative events or future anxieties) and rest in the pure awareness that is already present and whole. ![Screenshot at 00:25: Singer explains that the key to spiritual growth outside of formal meditation is consciously observing everything in your field of experience without trying to manipulate or push anything away.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ylfg9WupsMM/00-00-25.png) **Context:** Michael Singer, author of 'The Untethered Soul' and 'Living Untethered,' delivers a talk focused on practical spiritual application, specifically addressing what practitioners should do when they find themselves not actively engaged in formal seated meditation. The context revolves around maintaining a state of constant, non-dual awareness throughout daily life, even when dealing with uncomfortable thoughts, emotions, or external distractions, framing this continuous presence as the true path to spiritual growth and freedom. ## Detailed Analysis Michael Singer explains that when one is not formally meditating, the crucial practice is to maintain continuous, non-dual awareness of the entire field of experience—including thoughts, emotions, the body, and sensory input. He stresses that this is the natural state, not a special technique requiring effort. He argues against the ego's tendency to chase specific positive feelings like ecstasy or to actively suppress negative ones like fear or jealousy, as this creates dualism and struggle. Singer cites spiritual teachings, including a reference to the Biblical concept of sustenance beyond physical bread and the yogic concept of the 'river of joy,' to emphasize that the source of all positive experience is the underlying consciousness itself. The practice involves simply watching thoughts and emotions arise and pass without attaching to them or trying to force them away. He contrasts this effortless awareness with the 'human predicament' where individuals manipulate their internal and external environments to feel okay, which he states only leads to further distraction and suffering. True spiritual progress, according to Singer, is realizing that this state of holistic awareness is always available and is the true nature of being. ### The Core Practice Outside Meditation - Maintain non-dual awareness of all experience - Thoughts, emotions, body, and senses are observed simultaneously - Do not try to suppress or manipulate anything. ### The Ego's Distraction - Ego resists the natural flow by fixating on preferences (liking/disliking) or trying to force spiritual states (ecstasy, love). - This resistance creates suffering and dualism. ### Spiritual Precursors - Cites teachings like the 'River of Holy Waters' (Yoga Sutras) and the idea that 'Man shall not live by bread alone' (Bible) to show that true fulfillment comes from the underlying consciousness. ### Practical Application - When distractions or negative emotions arise (like fear or jealousy), simply observe them without reacting or trying to push them away; let them pass through. ### The Goal of Non-Dual Awareness - To realize that consciousness itself is the source of joy and love, and that this state is always present, requiring no special effort or technique to achieve. ![Screenshot at 00:05: Michael Singer introducing the topic of what to do when not meditating.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ylfg9WupsMM/00-00-05.png) ![Screenshot at 00:13: Singer referencing the title of his new book, 'Living Untethered,' as a key concept.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ylfg9WupsMM/00-00-13.png) ![Screenshot at 00:25: Singer explicitly stating that the goal is to see everything \(thoughts, emotions, body, senses\) simultaneously.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ylfg9WupsMM/00-00-25.png) ![Screenshot at 00:58: Close-up on the speaker emphasizing the simplicity of just 'seeing' the present moment.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ylfg9WupsMM/00-00-58.png) ![Screenshot at 01:33: Singer contrasting the desire to manipulate experiences versus simply allowing them to be.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ylfg9WupsMM/00-01-33.png) ![Screenshot at 02:30: Singer describing the spiritual path as being 'deeper' than just techniques like controlling the breath.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ylfg9WupsMM/00-02-30.png) ![Screenshot at 03:38: Singer describing the process of letting go of distractions like past negative experiences.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ylfg9WupsMM/00-03-38.png) ![Screenshot at 04:50: Visual of the valley and river scene emphasizing the backdrop against which consciousness operates.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ylfg9WupsMM/00-04-50.png) ![Screenshot at 05:56: Singer concluding that resistance to the natural flow \(thoughts/emotions\) is what creates suffering.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ylfg9WupsMM/00-05-56.png)