The Surrender Experiment

Singer recounts the chain of unexpected events leading to the formation of his construction company, “Built with Love” (109). After returning from his teaching job at Santa Fe, Singer encounters a sheriff’s deputy outside the temple. Initially, the deputy’s presence causes Singer concern, but his anxiety quickly shifts when the officer, Deputy Knowles, admires the temple’s rustic craftsmanship and asked Singer if he would be willing to build an addition to his home. Despite feeling unprepared and uninterested in construction work, Singer agrees to the project.

What starts as a single home improvement job soon expands into more projects, primarily for law enforcement personnel. The unexpected success of this new endeavor becomes a part of Singer’s spiritual journey. Each job, whether big or small, is treated with the same reverence and dedication he applies to his other roles—teaching, running spiritual retreats, and serving the temple community. Singer reflects on how surrendering to life’s unpredictable turns allows him to embrace these new experiences, leading him down unforeseen paths. He learns to balance his spiritual aspirations with the practical demands of running a business, seeing every task as a gift from life itself.