On Resistance
- We normally have some resistance about what is happening in our lives at any given time. Whether it is thoughts giving us opinions or whether it is an emotional reaction or a physical reaction to a situation, there is usually something about us wanting this moment to be different in some way.
When we let go of trying to manage or control this moment and surrender to whatever is happening then we’ll notice our true nature. We are not trying to create a state or a particular experience, we are simply noticing something that is already here. That is meditation.
Meditation is simply our natural way of being when we let go of trying to manage or control our current situation in any given moment.
- If you notice you are resisting doing something you don't have to know why.
Just do it anyway and see what happens...If you can feel the resistance is causing suffering and this is stopping you from doing something you wish to do then look at why you are not doing it. I think if we are honest with ourselves we will recognise things we resist which we know deep down we'd like to do. It could be a very simple thing like ringing or keeping in touch with our parents more. We can ask why do I resist keeping in touch? We may not even notice we are resisting and simply forget and suddenly realise it is a week since we last spoke. It is quite a big step to notice what we resist. No, you don't have to always do things we resist as noticing the resistance is enough, but we can be pleasantly surprised at the outcome when we do.

​Ian McArthur