Be careful about how much power you give to the concept of “Resistance.” I appreciate how Steven Pressfield writes about it and uses it, but an overuse sets up the situation in which anytime we don’t want to do something, it’s Resistance at fault.
Understanding Resistance as an external force obscures the fact that we, ourselves, are the root of resistance. It’s our stories that place the weight on us. It’s our reactions and misperceptions that create the very monsters we then claim need slaying.
It’s us.
I’ve shared the following quote from the Tao Te Ching before in You Are Not Your Past:
The places where the troops camp / thistles and thorns grow.
The line is not about troops and armies per se. It’s an observation that negative energy and violence rest upon some type of ground – whether that ground is physical, emotional, social, mental, or spiritual – and the only growth that happens there comes from the scrappiest things. Roses don’t last long being trampled by marching armies.
When we accept that the army that is Resistance is mustered by us, we understand that we are the root of Resistance. It’s then not a question of beating it, but instead a question of not nourishing it and of letting it pass so the ground can be refreshed.
Our true and best creative work doesn’t happen when we force it – it happens when we allow it to emerge and give it space. It may be true that that space needs some fighting for, but your creative force isn’t something that you whip into submission. It’s something that, when tapped, you’ll have a hell of a time keeping up with.
Next time you find yourself demotivated or trying to force the creative process, check to make sure that it’s not some story, perception, desire, or striving-goal that’s squatting on your creative ground. It’s hard to beat a monster who’s fueled by the very energy you’re trying to muster to beat it.
Touch in with that powerful, emergent, playful, and creative aspect of yourself without judgment, plans, shoulds, and stories. (Tweet this.)
You might find yourself surprised, relieved, and bewildered by something that you didn’t have to fight to create.
This is the yin to the yang of fighting Resistance. We need both to flourish as creative people, and the yin is just as powerful as – if not more powerful than – the yang. Use all of your resources.
Thanks for another brilliant post, Charlie! It really is all about the stories we tell ourselves, isn’t it?
Instead of trying to force the creative process, it sounds like a MUCH better plan to allow it to emerge from the depths of our own creativity and brilliance. And of course, it’s up to us to create the space for it to come out and play.
So I interrupt this blog comment to get outside and take a long walk in the sunshine! 🙂
Glad to hear you balancing the discourse on resistance, Charlie. I share your misgivings on putting too much stock in the power of resistance and the need to fight against it.
I’ve discovered that resistance melts when I have the proper structure in which to pour my creative energies. My avoidance of tasks seems to crop up when I’m facing a blank expanse — too many choices. But when I have an outline, a plan, a schedule, some container, then I can move forward smoothly.
Charlie,
This is a brilliant post. Thanks for sharing it. You are right on the money here.
The fault/ dear Brutus/ lies not in our stars/ but in ourselves, to paraphrase the late, great William Shakespeare. Your post reminded me of the English bard’s noble sentiment.
As far as creativity is concerned, there is a lot of pushing and shoving. We all want to be creative and to be perceived as creative. We want others to refer to us as a “creative spirit” or a “creative individual.” Since creativity is in demand–and at such a premium–we find ourselves in conflict with our own creative impulse.
We don’t seem to understand that creativity has its own reasons for existing. Sometimes, it wants to play with us, like a child full of mischief: creativity is a prankster and loves to tell jokes and it is a comedian. At other times, creativity is a mistress: she escapes from us because we failed to woo her and pay the bills. Creativity, the mistress, won’t play unless you foot the bill: if your coffers are empty, your bed will be empty at night as well.
You have to dance with creativity as if it’s the last tango in Paris. It needs two to tango, so make creativity your dancing partner. Invite her into the unspoiled wilderness of space and time instead of keeping her chained down in a dungeon of gloom. Don’t try to force her or bend her to your will. Creativity is touchy-feely and may decide to find another lover.
Cheers.
Calm and peace is our natural state, when we are in it our creative juices flow. We are more productive and happier.
It is when we fight resistance that we tense up, get stressed and produce worse and worse results.
When you are stressed taking a break can help you break that bad mindset.
Intelligently said, Charlie. You’re one smart cookie. 😉
You’re right that the resistance is us…for me, the helpful part about this whole conversation is in the validation. “You mean that stuck I’ve been feeling is something that all creative people go through? Huh. I think I can get over it then.”
I am a victim of my own resistance. I guess every body are! And speaking for myself, it’s true that my perception is the reason behind my own resistance. I think it’s because I lack confidence. Before doing things or jumping on the next level, I tend to think that I might not do it or I can’t do it. Sad!
Definitely one of my favorite posts lately. Nicely said!
We really are making this all up! Our story is the story we create. Thanks for reminding us!
Another good read is The Story of You and How to Create a New One by Steve Chandler. Very eye opening and encouraging.