Resistance

As a student of metaphysics, I have read countless books on spiritual and soul growth. I’ve read books on philosophy. I’ve dedicated a good portion of my life to honing my craft, building my growth and pursuing my soul’s evolution. One of the most thoughtful and impactful books I’ve read for my soul’s growth isn’t even a book on metaphysics or philosophy. It is a book on art – or a book that explores the battles within us that inhibit us from our soul’s expression through art. That book is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, and I am driven to live its message every day.

“Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.” – Steven Pressfield

I have wrestled with the artist part of my being for as long as I can remember. And by artist I mean any part of me which creates, and grows as I do – spiritual intuitive and writer specifically. With an impulse to be normal, or in an impulse to hide my gifts I pushed my spiritual artistry and desire to write deep within me and tried to find more acceptable pursuits. (Acceptable in the eyes of friends, family and society where success is measured in dollar signs.)  If not art or spiritual endeavors, then in law as a paralegal, or in teaching.

I suffocated in self-inflicted professions as anything but author, psychic, and spiritual advisor.

The most fulfilling work I’ve had outside of spiritual work and writing is teaching. Perhaps because teaching can be an art — when done with passion. And a part of me gained satisfaction knowing I could be something important to a few. As gratifying as it often was, I still was very aware of it not being the best of me.

There have been many voices keeping my soul’s expression of art pushed deep within me and keeping me hiding from the world. Oddly, the ones I listened to so completely had never read a word of my writing, never had a reading and simply weren’t interested in the spiritual offerings I was so want to share with the world. Sometimes the loudest voices of dissent know the least about that which they protest.

However, The War of Art points out something I never wanted to believe. It points out that this Resistance with a capital R — the influence that keeps us from our higher selves — is something we’ve each created within ourselves. There becomes an addiction to not living up to our potential. And not living to our potential is easy. And even easier with the multitude of excuses so readily available to the angst riddled human.

Do we have to stare death in the face to make us stand up and confront Resistance? – Steven Pressfield

This book helped me realize I was the only thing keeping me back. I was the hurdle I needed to jump to fulfil my spiritual goals and facilitate my soul’s evolution. I needed to make changes without hesitation and with great determination and a swiftness I hadn’t yet wielded.

In all of this I discovered an amazing thing. The power to push through this 3D existence to meet my spiritual purpose is within me, and I have a team of angels and guides cheering me on.

If you have even the slightest inkling to pursue something that puts you on a higher plane — whatever your soul’s purpose – painting, writing, singing, entrepreneurship to name but a few — then by all means read this book.

See what you can achieve. But don’t only try once. Work every day at being the higher, better you. It is a war of sorts, made of many battles, none of which are cheap. But the cost/reward ratio is turning up roses when you realize the authentic expression of your soul is worth more than any earthly accounting.

The warrior and the artist live by the same code of necessity, which dictates that the battle must be fought anew every day. – Steven Pressfield

I know that “following my dream” is just another way of saying “living to my potential.” Living to the capabilities given me by my Creator. And I know the greater my pursuit is of IT, the greater the pull of Resistance. And it is through overcoming that Resistance and finding my art that I live my most authentic life.

The more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we feel toward pursuing it. – Steven Pressfield