The Source of Resistance

It is possible to take the view that the stories of our lives are what's left over after we have avoided whatever we feel we need to avoid.

Probably the most obvious examples can happen in the educational process. If I experience difficulty with a particular subject such as Algebra or French, I might avoid studying it and severely limit my ability to obtain a college degree, thus limiting my career options. Some might say it would be a matter of applying myself to which I would respond, "against what resistance?"

The same limitations as a consequence of avoidance can show up in relationships as well. If being in the presence of a particular person reminds me of past heartbreak, I might avoid them and never discover that they are not at all like the person they remind me of. In essence, my relationships wind up being governed by the avoidance of sensations which remind me of past hurts.

In both of these examples, what I am avoiding is body sensations. It seems not to matter that the avoidance is based on what appear to be mental processes. Once a thought or memory triggers a particular kind of uncomfortable body sensation, the associated endeavor could just as well be a lost cause. I appear to be powerless when certain body sensations occur.

If I wanted to have more say in the course of my life, it would make sense to learn how to deal with my body sensations.