Chapter 6: Resistance
CHOOSING PRESENCE PP. 60-64
Investigate the underlying reasons behind our resistance to practicing presence and how to overcome them.
Summary
This section of the text delves into those fears and excuses that keep you from fully embracing presence—things like fear of change, failure, or facing reality. It invites you to take an honest look at your own hesitations and how the ego works to keep resistance in place. By shifting your awareness to the present moment, you can begin to break free from these patterns and experience real transformation.
So what stops us from embracing such a simple practice? What prevents us from letting go of our preconceived notions of how to deal with our stress and anxiety and finally try an exercise that gets to the heart of the matter? In essence, we fear change.
— Choosing Presence, p. 60
A Moment for Reflection
Pause for a moment and reflect on the following three questions:
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Consider whether you resist presence because of fear of change, failure, or facing certain emotions. How do these fears influence your daily life?
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• Reflect on the inner dialogue that arises when you try to be present. Does your mind create distractions, judgments, or reasons to avoid stillness?
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Imagine letting go of hesitation and embracing presence fully. How might this shift impact your stress levels, relationships, and connection with God?
Deepening the Practice: Journal Prompt
Fear and resistance often keep us from fully embracing presence. Whether it’s fear of change, failure, or facing difficult emotions, the ego creates excuses to avoid the discomfort of transformation. Choosing Presence encourages us to recognize these patterns, not as failures, but as opportunities to shift our awareness. By becoming more conscious of our own hesitations, we can begin to release resistance and step into a deeper experience of peace and connection with God.
Think about a time when you resisted slowing down and being fully present. What fears or excuses came up—was it discomfort, the need to stay busy, or fear of what you might face in stillness? How does this resistance show up in your daily life? Now, imagine what it would feel like to let go of those fears and simply allow yourself to be present. How might this shift bring more peace, clarity, or a deeper connection with God into your life?