Yesterday, I told you about the book, “The War of Art,” that takes up the subject of Resistance toward the creative process.
Another enlightening point I picked up in the book was on page 17, where Pressfield explains how Resistance only works against us when we’re taking steps forward, never backward. It’s easy to go backward because Resistance doesn’t care. It only gets worked up when we’re headed to new and better places.
Pressfield wrote, under the heading “Resistance only opposes in one direction:”
“Resistance obstructs movement only from a lower sphere to a higher. It kicks in when we seek to pursue a calling in the arts, launch an innovative enterprise, or evolve to a higher station morally, ethically, or spiritually.”
“So, if you’re in Calcutta working with the Mother Teresa Foundation and you’re thinking of bolting to launch a career in telemarketing…relax. Resistance will give you a free pass.”
So, don’t be afraid of Resistance! If you’re feeling it, you might be on to something big. Keep pressing forward until you understand all the mental forces at work and can sort out what God really wants you to do.
Thank you Evan, this was very informative. Does this feeling of resistance indicate that when a right activity is pending and I feel uneasy and anxious about doing the activity, then I should go on with the activity? Is it the carnal mind trying to keep me from accomplishing good by creating a feeling of doubt within in regards to doing good? If this is true, more often than not, I judge my activities by doing the thing that I feel the most resistance to doing. I don’t think this is a very joyful assurance of right activity, but it is all I seem to be able to perceive presently. I would so enjoy a more joyful indication of guidance. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Hi Jill,
When you feel resistance, I would not take that as a green light to hurry up and proceed because the sign of resistance is “a good thing.” It means you need to understand the situation better until you can see through the resistance, see whether it’s actually a sign that its not a good idea, or see through it to why it is a good idea.
I seek for what I call “the peace.” I need to feel “the peace” within before I act on a new idea. When I find the peace, that means, usually, I’ve seen through the claims of resistance that would prevent me from being successful once I begin.
Sorry, I think my question was answered with yesterdays blog. I did not get to read it and I just did. Thank you! But, any other insights are very appreciated.
AWESOME !!
Dear Jill; I hope this helps. Thinking of Jacob’s Ladder, every step up is a step forward in spiritual understanding. Climbing that ladder is an effort, but an effort worth undertaking. I am 77 years of age and if I take in the majority belief that growing old means decrepitude, then I am moving backward on that ladder which humanly at my age seems easier. Climbing requires an effort, moving down is much easier. RESISTANCE then and giving into it is really giving into laziness and we don’t want to do that. Sincerely TOBIAS A. WEISSMAN
As a reader of Pressfield’s books for writer’s and artists on overcoming resisistance, they all echo universal truths and startling alerts to the machinations of mortal mind, the devil, evil (insert preferable term here) more clearly and succinctly than most books on the subject. You have to use the “fan” here and there, or your filter, but valuable reading indeed! Thanks for sharing the brightest gems from this little gold mine of a book!
The timing on these two articles spurred me into action. A nearby school had a shooting of which I was aware and followed. Because of these articles I was able to create a writing regarding the lies about Truth that are being circulated through the media. In Christian Science we know that God creates only good, and my writing is to dispel the lies we see in the world today, the so-called disasters. I have resisted this writing for a long time, but your articles about Resistance broke through and I was lead through Mrs. Eddy’s writings and my understanding of the Bible. Thank you, Evan. Timely, as usual.
Hey, that’s super! Thanks for sharing.
That’s a common effect of Pressfield’s books on writer’s… Breaking down walls and Spurring writers into action.
This echoes a citation I use often from S&H: for the higher Truth
lifts her voice, the louder will error scream, until its in‐
articulate sound is forever silenced in oblivion.
If error is screaming…resisting…I know I am on the right path. I do listen for God’s guidance the entire time because occasionally I need to change tactics, but the forward movement is awesome.
For years I wanted to write a children’s book about sea life. I finally did it, and self-published. I called a beach store I frequently visit because that’s the first place I wanted it to be. I was so nervous that I don’t remember half of what I said, but they bought 12 copies of it just the other day and now my fear of offering the book to other places, has lessened.
The arguments seem to always be about self; self-criticism (you can’t do this) or fear of failue, (no one’s going to like it) or worse, (you’re not good enough, smart enough to make this successful. Who do you think you are?).
Despite those thoughts, I pursued. The manager of the store loved the book and a dream I’ve had for many years– introducing children to sea life they can observe themselves on the rocky shore, has come true. Never Give Up! Fear is a bully. Push it aside. Be yourself. God wants it that way!
Evan, this blog so met my need today. Had a decision to make over something I was not feeling at peace with. For 50 years I have not made many big decisions until I felt that inner peace but for some reason this time I was struggling. This blog was perfect for me; I am now at peace with a decision I must make,
Family and friends don’t understand that feeling of inner-peace reasoning in making decisions.
Love this discussion!
This reminds me so much of the Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis.
In it, the senior demon Screwtape instructs the junior demon Wormwood how to keep a man from accomplishing anything productive. He is especially interested in how to keep him from becoming a Christian. He constantly focuses him on the stream of everyday activities called “life” so that he won’t grapple with anything higher!
My favorite part is in the beginning where he talks about one of his “clients” reading in the British Museum and starting to grapple with an idea. Screwtape didn’t argue or confront him. He simply suggested he was hungry and kept at it until he got him out the door and on the street. There, when he saw all the business of “life” going on he dropped thinking about the new idea and moved on.
Resistance to being productive…
😀
Whoa, I can certainly relate to that scenario! Thanks for sharing…