A disturbed mind is really a problem of the heart: disturbed emotional energy from suppressed experiences rises up, hits the mental plane, and turns into the mental stories, worries, and reactions we call the personal mind. The real spiritual work is to stop pushing uncomfortable experiences down—thus creating blockages—and instead let both new and old energy pass through, so the heart and mind can return to their natural state of peace. One method of doing this is the practice of gratitude. Use your intellect to contemplate the overwhelming miracle of your body, all of nature, and the entire universe. Your focus will then shift from personal preferences to awe and appreciation, allowing Shakti to flow freely and drawing you toward the very source of spiritual energy.

© Sounds True Inc. Episodes: © 2025 Michael A. Singer. All Rights Reserved.

Inner suffering is not caused by what happens, but by our preferences about what should or shouldn’t have happened—the gap between reality and what we want it to be. Our entire preference system is built from the sum of our learned experiences, which compared to all else going on, is statistically insignificant. But we worship what we have experienced as “truth,” to be defended and fought for. When we stop fighting, we come to understand that everyone is driven by their own conditioned experiences and inner pain—so we stop judging and start asking, “How can I help?” We act from a place of clarity and compassion, not to get our way, but to raise the energy of whatever passes in front of us.

© Sounds True Inc. Episodes: © 2025 Michael A. Singer. All Rights Reserved.

Reality is simply the unfolding of countless causes across time, and our problems arise when we resist what is, rather than accept it. Our minds become disturbed due to personalization, judgment, and the suppression of experiences we can’t handle, which results in inner energy blockages (samskaras).

Spiritual liberation means learning to handle reality exactly as it is, letting go of suppression and control, and allowing the natural energy of life to flow through us without obstruction. This leaves us in a state of clarity from which we can make decisions that are in harmony with life, rather than fighting with it.

© Sounds True Inc. Episodes: © 2025 Michael A. Singer. All Rights Reserved.