When we think of resistance, many things may come to mind. On a basic note, it’s considered “a force against” something. Something which stands in opposition relative to something else. It has a sort of negative connotation, but can also be used in attempts to better one’s position. In the case of opposition to various facets of communism and totalitarianism which have appeared globally throughout history — or in the case of Star Wars — resistance is often seen in a positive light. Those who resisted the so-called force of Nazism which swept Germany in the 20th century are now seen as heroes, despite their being persecuted or killed at the time. Relative to the time and place these detractors found themselves, they were villains. They were resisting the ideal society which the majority gleefully embraced, under the guidance and carefully crafted narrative of those with influence who envisioned a world without opposition. A “better”, more ideal world where everybody was on the same page, generally speaking.
Societal ideals have come and gone literally thousands and thousands of times, with seemingly endless variances in rules, systems and propositions. Yet they all have one thing in common — and that is that they do not last. No matter how long a society may appear to thrive and retain some semblance of control over the order and operation of people’s daily lives and the flow of resources, they never, ever remain. One might argue that some ideals were “better” than others, or that some lasted “longer” than others, but does it really matter? One might even conclude this to simply mean that the “true” ideal has yet to be discovered. Which leads us back to… resistance.
Why do we perpetually resist things “as they are”? Why do we ignore what history repeatedly shows us, over and over on an infinite loop? Why do we perpetually aim for an ideal? Why do we inherently assume that WE have the ideal of all ideals in the way of a “right” way to live, behave, and conduct a society? These questions can be asked on a grand scale, such as with societal ideals, but even more important and practical — do we understand this fundamental aspect of our very own selves? Do we clearly see that this resistance is present within each and every one of us? The particular beliefs and the particular brand of ideals are no matter; this is a truly common thread strung throughout every human psyche. Every single solitary person in existence truly believes without much doubt that they have the answers to an ideal way of life. That they have figured out what is right/good, and clearly see what is wrong/evil. All of this without questioning why the ideas of right and wrong exist in the first place. All without questioning, right and wrong relative to what? Or to whom?
This is the root of ideal. It is always, without exception, relative to a particular what and whom. And therefore, a collective ideal can fundamentally not exist for every single human being in a world of relativity. Which I would more accurately call, a “world of resistance”. Because in the endless variations of “ideal” relative to each so-called individual inhabiting this planet, there is also an inherent resistance to all of that which falls outside of said ideal. The one cannot exist without the other. And this basic notion is missed by nearly everyone. Most of us live our entire lives without recognizing the mass amount of resistance we are constantly battling in our everyday lives. The resistance to all of that which falls outside of alignment with our ideal, often unconsciously held within our minds, which is directing our every thought and every move. This is why we feel frustration, disappointment, anger, hate, guilt, shame, etc. It is because something in our seeming experience is not matching up with our ideal. Often times it is our very own self, the identity held within our mind which is not matching up, and so these emotions are internalized. All of this, without recognizing the severe toll this takes on the mind and body. Or at the very least, not attributing the various expressions and conditions of the mind and body to this mass of resistance.
Perhaps it is easier to see that this is happening to you, to me, to every seeming “other” by first recognizing where it is not happening. And for that, we can easily look at all the rest of the natural world. To the plant kingdom, the mineral kingdom, the animal kingdom — to the patterns of seasons, the patterns of weather. There is absolutely no resistance there. No plant stands in protest when a hurricane comes sweeping through to uproot it. No animal stands in protest to the rain. No flower bud stands in protest to the beckoning of Springtime. All of these realms of life are in a state of pure allowance. Nothing is disallowed. Nothing is rejected. Everything flows in a symbiotic rhythm, and everything plays its part without victimizing itself or attributing a particular identity relative to any seeming event or circumstance. It’s almost as if each aspect of the natural world is aware that it is part of a greater whole, and joyfully dedicates itself to whatever is required of it in order to keep the game of no-resistance and infinite possibility going. That includes embracing apparent “birth”, “life” and “death” rather impartially. Of course there is a movement to self-perpetuate, there is a seeming movement to “survive”, but this too can be seen as an impartial program. As an aspect of nature, but one that does not hold a position in reference to “itself”. It is just a program.
But humans believe we are different. Humans don’t see themselves as a program, but rather as an individual entity with free will, choice, and dominance over the natural world. We presuppose a position of narcissistic superiority, albeit often held in the unconscious collective ego. Sure there are degrees to which this seems to be latent or expressed from person to person, but it matters not — this is a presence which is driving each and every point of consciousness. And it is rarely seen, as each ego appears to be acting independently, with its own particular self-concerned desires and drives. Each individual ego seems to be attracted to certain aspects of experience and has aversions to others. Each ego wants to obtain good or positive experiences and avoid bad or negative ones. And the ideas of good and bad are relative to each individual, right? But what if all of this is just a ruse, obfuscating the truth underlying the whole charade of experience in such a way that we tend to miss the glaringly obvious shared reality?
That is, again, that we are all operating in resistance to what is. And all seeking a relative ideal. And that these two aspects of what seems to be the human experience are interdependent upon one another — two sides of the same coin. And more importantly, that both are absolutely unnecessary. Which again, can easily be observed in all other aspects of the natural world.
One might argue that the human experience is obviously superior and preferable to that of plants, minerals, animals, organic compounds, etc. And of course, the ego would hold such a position, wouldn’t it? For if it didn’t, what would be the point of the human ego? This position is inherently pointing to the narcissism which must accompany holding any kind of position from an ego. The ego is central to all of life. It is central to itself. Its survival takes precedence over all else. This is what it would have us believe, and how it would conduct our lives. But can we truly say, without a reasonable doubt, that this is the superior way to live? Can we truly say that living in resistance to what is, is what humans are meant to do? Is this the point of life? To create an ideal and live in opposition to everything which doesn’t align with it?
Or is this Hell?
Because in a sense, this is self-destructive insanity. And looking at humanity as a whole, one could argue we are seeing the expressions of such insanity on a mass scale. Of course the ego gleefully embraces such insanity, as it perpetuates and validates its own survival and purpose. It implies that division and suffering are real and necessary, which means that it must survive, as the individual person, in the face of all these apparently terrifying odds against it. But is this what we really want? Are we really seeing things so clearly? And if there is doubt that we are, can we discover and question our reality in an intelligent manner?
I think we can.
This isn’t to say that the ego is some kind of weed which need be pulled in order to transcend suffering and reach some pinnacle of human experience, quite the opposite. This is simply pointing out that perhaps the pinnacle of human experience, the so-called ideal we hold in our minds, is the shell game itself. The ego is an innocent aspect of nature — a function which perpetuates survival and attachment to the “movie of life” via the sense of a personal self, a personal body, a personal mind. The ego is what enables the individuated experience, which is an inherently intelligent and magnificent functioning. But if we continue to unconsciously identify with the persona — the thoughts, emotions, preferences, and behaviors it creates and perpetuates via the apparent “lived experience”, we fool ourselves into believing that this is what life is. We continue to unconsciously chase an ideal, and resist all else. In this, we are merely a puppet on strings. All the while truly believing that WE, as the individual, have the control. That WE are making choices and doing things — working towards an ideal life. That something better is around the corner if we just keep believing. Innocent, indeed. But also a delusion. And the sooner we wake up and take impersonal responsibility for this, the sooner we can realize that everything, exactly as it is, is reflecting the perfection of our true Self. The sooner we can release the resistance, the sooner we can realize the freedom which was always underlying the shell game. And the sooner we can clearly see that satisfaction can never, ever be found in form… or in an ideal.
This of course presents as ludicrous to the ego. The last thing it wants to do is relinquish its facade of control. But I can assure you, it makes no difference. Everything from the perspective of the contracted personal self is an illusion whether it is seen or not. And the so-called day has already come where this is realized — where the resistance associated with identifying in such a way is gladly surrendered. For if this were not the case, it wouldn’t be possible to read these very words.
Hallelujah, dear reader.
In the next part, we will examine resistance on a more personal scale, so we can begin to see it in action in our everyday lives. Begin to familiarize ourselves with its appearances and impartially look at how this seems to color our perception and affect our experience.
