Mindful Of Resistance
From Rik Center:
Resistance, in context of mindfulness practice, is a wakeup call. In bringing awareness to those aspects of our daily life that we habitually resist, we begin the work of transforming them.
Take a couple of moments to consider your own habitual resistances. Is there some situation, or task, some person, or event you commonly find yourself faced with, but which you really don’t like? It can be as mundane as taking out the trash, washing the dishes or brushing our teeth….The main thing that we’re looking for is the quality of aversion, or the voice of “I don’t like”, “I don’t want” and the repetition of this. In that it’s something you find yourself faced with again and again and there is a “pushing away” quality to it.
Now take a few moments and let’s consider it mindfully. Begin with the body. As you hold the image of your resistance in mind, explore the feeling tone in the body. Try to describe it to yourself as precisely as possible (heaviness, shallow breathing, contraction, tightness, heat, etc. Not judging the bodily feeling though allowing it to be noticed and see what might happen just by awareness.
Next consider any collateral effects in the mind such as: i.e… negative thoughts, fears, dark images or scary images. As you watch these thoughts see if there is a string or a train of emotions that arise out of this, as you explore the resistance.
What is your usual reaction to this resistance? Do it grudgingly, try to distract yourself, shut down, etc…
Now as you hold your awareness of this personal resistance see if you can allow your heart and body to soften around the resistance. Don’t strain, if judgments or additional resistances come up, just notice them. If nothing shifts or changes thats all right too. Just notice whatever happens.
Finally before finishing this exploration, mentally bow, to whatever resistance you’ve been exploring. Regard it as a teacher that is helping you learn more about yourself and how you’re responding to the nature of life and how things are for all beings.
Then return to noticing the breath and the next breath and the next.