Recognizing resistance
There are a few basic things that none of us want to deal with. We don’t want problems. We don’t want pain. And we don’t want the stress that comes from problems or pain. Feeling the stress of living under constant problems or pain, whether emotional or physical, will sap your energy and wear down your mind and your body. This is because the pressure that you feel in your body from stressing yourself out is real. This emotional and physical pressure that comes from negative thinking is called resistance.
Resistance is like forcefully stepping on the gas pedal of a car with your right foot while you are pressing down on the brake with your left foot. When you think something bad is going to happen, the motor of your mind takes your thoughts all over the place as you simultaneously press on the gas and the brakes on what you should do and should not do. This constant stream of conflicting thoughts emotionally revs you up to either fight the problem or escape the problem. As your body receives these negative thoughts, it responds emotionally and physically by creating emotional and physical resistance. And, just like with the car, you will lose control.
For example, let’s say you receive news from your employer that you have been let go from your job. Immediately you may feel fearful, sad, or upset. The reason you feel fearful, sad, and upset is because all you can think about are all the bad things that are going to happen to you without this job. As you continue to worry about not being able to pay the bills or what your friends are going to think about you being fired, you may begin to experience emotional resistance in the form of anxiety, depression, and even anger. This emotional resistance leads to physical resistance when you feel your heart racing in the morning and your neck hurting from stress during the day. You may have moments where all you want to do is get away and cry…or fight and place blame. When you reach your limit and cannot resist or hold back any longer, you will snap. You might scream, cry, throw something, kick something, punch something, or offend and insult.
We are experiencing resistance when our bodies are heavy and we do not want to get out of bed in the morning. We are experiencing resistance when we become agitated and nervous with the pressure of feeling that we don’t have enough time. We feel resistance when we feel judged and misunderstood. Resistance is why there is so much intolerance in the world. Resistance is the reason why people abuse alcohol and take drugs. Yet, for some reason, we accept emotional and physical resistance as a natural part of life. As if we are supposed to feel pressured, pushed, heavy, agitated, scared, and rushed by our thoughts, our emotions, and our bodies.
Being close-minded causes conflict, judgment, and stress. Being close-minded creates emotional and physical resistance. Being open-minded allows for new ideas and creative solutions. Being open-minded creates flow and prevents emotional and physical resistance. In my next column, I will explain how to remove resistance and allow your mind and body to ebb and flow with the inevitable stresses of life. In the meantime, breathe a deep nirvana sigh of relief and let that resistance go. Mother Owl.
