Resistance accompanies us every day.
Be it an uncomfortable physical feeling you rather wouldn’t have, or a thought in your mind that you resist.
The journey of mindfulness is also a journey of noticing resistance.
Over the years, I’ve noticed resistance more and more often. At first it was very rough. “I don’t want this to ... Oh, hey, that’s resistance!”
This perception became more fine-grained over time, to the point where I sometimes notice the feeling of resistance in the same moment a thought or emotion arises.
But I still often ask myself: “what now?”
Resistance is difficult. It causes much of the stress and negativity in the world. But it also increases the desire to change something for the better. So, what should you do after noticing it?
Resistance is natural. It is part of our shared human condition.
Once noticed, you can’t ignore it. You also can’t fight it (that would mean resisting resistance). You can only accept it and let it go.
Everyone feels resistance every day.
Get comfortable with it.
“When you catch yourself slipping into a pool of negativity, notice how it derives from nothing other than resistance to the current situation.” — Donna Quesada
Reading Recommendations
Mental Noting Meditation Practice - Mindworks Meditation | How it Works
“One important practice that helps meditators stay focused when the mind struggles to settle down is called noting meditation or mental noting. [...] One powerful thing about noting practice is that we’re learning that we can acknowledge and work with all mental events in exactly the same way, without bias.”
“I was pretty strict with my children about video games. We never owned a game console, and I limited their video game time to “educational” games. My daughter never did become a fan, but my son did when he went off to college and beyond. Now, looking at the research, I realize I may have been wrong about games.”
The Joel Test: 12 Steps to Better Code – Joel on Software
“Have you ever heard of SEMA? It's a fairly esoteric system for measuring how good a software team is. No, wait! Don't follow that link! It will take you about six years just to understand that stuff. So I've come up with my own, highly irresponsible, sloppy test to rate the quality of a software team…”
Weekly Mindfulness Practice
On your next walk outside, look at your neighborhood as if you were a tourist. Find 5 things you never noticed before.
How did these discoveries make you feel?
End Note
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Have a great week
Simon
PS: If you found an article you think others might like, and that fits this newsletter, I’d love it if you write me an email. Just reply!