Lately, I’m becoming more and more conscious of two completely different ways of being: resisting and allowing.

By really paying attention to myself, I can sense when I’m in resistance. For me, resistance brings rigidity – my body feels hard, like I’m wearing psychic armour. And I also feel a tightening, a hardness to my mind, like I’m marshalling my mental defences for battle.

Not surprisingly, resistance feels negative. Most times, I’m resentful – although I often don’t know what I’m resenting. Sometimes it’s rooted in fear. It has a ‘me against them’ kind of attitude.

What has been surprising is that I’m often in resistance when there hasn’t been any obvious cause for that kind of reaction. I’ve discovered that being in resistance is a habit. It’s the way I’ve learned to live – to always be protecting myself against life, even though living this way steals my energy and my joy.

Fortunately, I’ve discovered the second word: allowing. What is allowing? It’s not controlling. It’s not forcing things to be my way or even just wishing things were my way. It’s letting life be just as it is.

When I’m allowing, I experience a softness in my being. The armour is gone; I feel safe and relaxed. This is where peace, contentment and well-being arise. I’m not at war with life and there’s space of enjoy whatever’s going on. It feels so good!

I can only get to allowing when I let go of judgment. I need to release my opinions that things would be better if… Backing up a bit, I can only get to allowing when I become aware that I’m resisting.

For me, sensing the contrast between resistance and allowing has been an experience of awakening. And it’s so simple! All I have to do is pay attention! Am I feeling armoured for battle, angry at the world, even in a very subtle way? Or am I feeling open, soft, comfortable, at ease? If I’m in resistance, I bring my attention to my breathing for a few minutes and this helps ease the tension.

Just becoming aware of the resistance often releases it. And as I practice this awareness, over and over and over again, my experience of life is lightening up. I smile more often and worry much less. It’s all I’ve ever wanted!

~ Patrice

 “Can I be the space for this situation? Or am I resisting what is?”
-- Eckhart Tolle

“When we stop opposing reality, action becomes simple, fluid, kind, and fearless.”
-- Byron Katie

“Perhaps one of trouble’s greatest ‘side effects’ is that it teaches us that life is rarely the way we want it to be; rather, life is simply the way it is. And we are simply the way we are. What we need is the desire to look for the gifts in ordinary and extraordinary experiences – and the wisdom to accept ourselves as we are.”
-- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Resources
Self Awareness Journey - How deep or high does your awareness go?
Self Acceptance List of Choices - Choose resistances you can work through.

A Reminder
Monthly Re-Treat Yourself Process – Focus on rejuvenation and staying on purpose.

Not yet a member of Higher Awareness?
Create a clear plan to heal life challenges and to identify and expand your potentials. We invite you to join us today.