– Nonresistance –
We may think of nonresistance as an indifferent, spiritless yielding to whatever occurs. We may think of it as an action fit only for the unfit and as a practice suited only to those who are incapable of self-defense.
If this is what we think, we miss the meaning of the word and of the act. Nonresistance is stronger than resistance. Its practice requires more mind capacity than is required for resistance. Its appeal is to the divine within us.
We, who are aware that we inhabit eternity, are able to array ourselves on the side of things eternal. We know that a weak person fights and that a strong person governs himself or herself to higher purposes.
We may be mentally resisting more than we are physically resisting. We may respect ourselves so much that we would not engage in fighting or in a cheapening quarrel. However, we may be mentally resisting with a fierceness that has an effect that is far more demoralizing than brawling resistance.
Nonresistance is not the line of least resistance. By following the line of least resistance, we may be able to evade a responsibility temporarily. No responsibility, however, can be avoided forever. If something is disagreeable in contemplation, cease to contemplate it. Go out to meet it, serenely nonresistant. The line of least resistance may be the way of the coward. Nonresistance is the triumphant highway of the hero of the universe, the soul that has won consciousness of its identity, its place in everlastingness.
We resist whatever we oppose, criticize or resent. When we initially set nonresistance in motion, we may find that we have been previously resisting in more ways than we realized. Subsequently, we will almost certainly identify inconsistencies and contradictions in our previous behaviors.
Resistance centers on detail while nonresistance accepts generalization. If we agree where we can agree and refrain from consideration of points that we do not accept, we keep unity with the universe. Agreement is feasible when a mind seeks agreement.
There is always ground for agreement. If we do not find that ground and grant its presence, we can then simply agree or withdraw in peace.
Resistance will throw us out of synchronization in our relationships. When we are nonresistant, our relationships are frictionless.
Nonresistance is not mere tolerance. It includes none of the assumed superiorities of the personal mind. It is a positive approach that offers no opposition and does not take opposition into account. Being nonresistant, we do not feel that we are better than others. We begin to consider likenesses not differences. We have no enemies because we are not an enemy.
If we are nonresistant toward years, the passing of the years will not age us. We simply continue and do not grow old. Our lives are transferred from time to eternity. States of consciousness come and are succeeded by other states yet we do not die, we continue to live.
When we are nonresistant toward our good, our good runs to meet us. I have found that I never win until I become willing to do without the trophy. I have learned to say to whatever seems worth having,
' If you do not want me as much as I want you, then I do not want you at all. I can do without you and not be sorry but I will welcome you if you come. '
We do not let ourself become so self important that we consider ourself to be the guardian of the morals and the rights of society. We are to work with all law but are not be agitated for the sanctity of any law. Spiritual law is never defeated. It operates regardless of our approval or disapproval.
Few criticisms will be made of our faith if we really know our faith and consistently live it. The world is not interested in what we believe. It is interested in what our belief causes us to do.
We do not resist other people’s opinions of us. We simply do not form opinions of others that will cause them to resist. When we refrain in these respects, peace will flow from us and to us.
¿ Can we be harmonious and nonresistant toward apparent injustice directed toward us? The unjust act ceases to be unjust when we do not accept it by resisting. If we value our peace of mind, we never let ourselves be hurt by what anyone does or says.
We do not let ourselves consider retribution. We do not betray ourselves by the reproach, ' I thought that you were my friend, but you are not, for you have failed me. '
Nonresistance is the irresistibility that delivers us whenever there is need of deliverance, that wraps us in the shining mantle of God’s protecting love, that flings wide the portals of the highest heaven, that within the tempest’s chant sings the conqueror’s anthem.
We can become heaven’s nonresistant, all conquering heroes.
The universe loves, protects and cherishes us when we are nonresistant to all things in the universe.
Thine, Oh God, is the kingdom,
Thine, the power,
Thine, the glory.
Amen.
Condensed from the book, What Are You ? by Imelda Octavia Shanklin
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Copyright © 2007 Condensed from the book, What Are You?, by Imelda Octavia Shanklin. All Rights Reserved