Resistance sound like one of those words we might want to lay judgement on as ‘bad’, however the more I work with it the more my respect for my resistance grows.
It can be difficult to clearly define resistance. Dan Millman, author of the book Peaceful Warrior, gave me the most wonderful description of resistance in another book of his which was was listening to last weekend. The book in this case is The Journeys of Socrates.
In this book the author describes the character Socrates’ training with a master. The Master asks Socrates to stretch up his arm, hold out his and catch a rock which the master would through to him. The master threw the rock with such force that it nearly ‘broke’ Socrates’ hand. The Master said; “Remember the Pain”, he said “it’s called resistance. In life stress happens when you resist. The same is true in combat. no matter what comes your way if you take a rigid position you experience pain. Never oppose force with force. Instead absorb it and use it” (Please Note: this is not an exact quote from this book as I’m transcribing it from the audio version ed.)
In my spiritual journey I have learned that I have many beliefs, and not all them are conscious ones. But as I work and get closer to the ‘heart’ of the matter my sub-conscious will resist. I begin to feel uncomfortable and then my auto response is to ‘deflect’. I will make jokes, I will laugh nervously, and other things which I’m not consciously aware of yet. This would be me opposing resistance.
However now when I catch my self in resistance I celebrate. Because it is a signal to me that I’m getting close to understanding me a bit more and closer to the place where I can examine an unconscious belief and see if it is serving me. From there I can make a conscious choice to ‘strengthen’ the belief, if it is serving me, or to change up the belief to something that will serve me better. This would be me working with resistance to take it, learn what it has to show me and transform it into something greater.
So as I continue my journey and sharing it if you find it makes you uncomfortable then maybe you to are in resistance and are being given the opportunity to take the next step.
Hooray for resistance.
Walk in Peace
Warrior Jevon: In-Service
