“Nonresistance is the key to the greatest power in the universe. Through it, consciousness (spirit) is freed from its imprisonment in form.” Eckhart Tolle
When something happens that you don’t like, how do you respond? Do you react? Withdraw? Consider multiple options for response?
Why Do We Choose Doing Rather Than Being?
The other day as I worked on my computer, the screen went black and a brief message appeared telling me there was a threat to the system, and it was shutting down to protect my data. It happened so suddenly that my only response was stunned silence. Then I thought, “What am I supposed to do?” I had no idea. This had never happened before. I waited a few minutes and then brought up the computer in “safe mode,” and it was fine. Then I shut it down and brought it up in “normal mode,” and it was fine.
In reflecting on this event, I found it interesting that I asked, “What am I supposed to do?” not “How am I supposed to be?” Actually, the computer had taken care of the doing and all I could do was to be with it. When something unexpected happens, why do I always think of what action to take first?
Transcending Limitations
In this physical life, one of our challenges is learning how to transcend our limitations and create a life that is rewarding and uplifting. Tolle and many other spiritual teachers would tell us the secret is to be in the moment and not to resist what we experience. Reading A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, changed my life. Tolle covered this topic so completely that I was unable to ignore the power of what he suggested.
When we are able to be in the moment, feel what we are experiencing, and let go of what is negative, it opens an entirely new path for us. We are able to see more clearly, we are able to go deeper, and we more easily find joy. On pages 210-211 of A New Earth, Tolle says, “When you are present, when your attention is fully in the Now, that Presence will flow into and transform what you do. There will be quality and power in it. You are present when what you are doing is not primarily a means to an end (money, prestige, winning) but fulfilling in itself, when there is joy and aliveness in what you do.”
Releasing Resistance
Living a life where we try to stay in the moment, doesn’t mean we don’t take action. It just means we become aware, then choose action. It may even mean we choose to do nothing. In being present, there is no resistance; there is no fear because it is fear that creates the resistance to begin with. We are so conditioned in this society to do, to produce, to accomplish, and to do it quickly that we are skipping the most important step. If we make decisions about our lives from a place of being in the moment rather than from a place of fearing and resisting, we will make more beneficial choices.
Being Spiritually Present in the Moment
The learning curve in my life this year has been so overwhelming that I can’t imagine how I would have dealt with it had I not been exposed to the many nuances in Tolle’s teachings. Knowing how to meditate helped, but it wasn’t enough. Now I can sit in front of my extremely long “to do” list, prioritize it, and calmly begin working with the first item. Working with a deadline is more challenging, but the more I focus in the moment and choose not to become attached to distractions, the more I accomplish. When I encounter a difficulty and find myself resisting it, I stop to remember how nicely things go when I don’t resist. I sit quietly for a moment, giving my mind time to process what I need, and wait for the solution to show up. Sometimes the answer shows up right away; other times it’s clear I need to go on and what I need shows up later.
Staying in the moment is empowering because it connects us with Spirit and that gives us access to deeper and richer places within. New ideas spring forth because we do not allow conditioned ideas from our past to create resistance and stop us from experimenting. What we do is filled with joy because it comes from our spiritual core. The true expression of who we are fills our lives with satisfaction and excitement. Ego calms down and our spirit leads the way. Without resistance, life flows like a mountain stream.
©2012 Georganne Spruce ZQT4PQ5ZN7F5
Related Articles: On finding Balance – Tolle, Being in the Moment – Tolle (video), 5 Ways to Let Go of Resistance
Awakening to the Dance 
You are absolutely right, we do have a tendency to think in terms of what to do instead of just to be. It has taken me a long time to let go of resistance and to just be, but it was well worth the trip! Thank you for your words – beautifully put!
11 minutes a day! Wow! Glad to know you’ve found that place of peace.
It is wonderful when you can be in the present moment. Time really does stand still in the moment and I’ve also found that all the pressure and burdens you feel are released and there is a deep sense of peace and calm. I think I was reading somewhere that most of us only spend 11minutes a day in the present moment. Amazing hey?
When I first rad Tolle I couldn’t believe how simply he broke down concepts that sounded revolutionary to me! Of course, living in the “now” isn’t all that simple! But I am making some baby steps in that direction! I really enjoyed the encouragement, Georganne. Debra
The baby steps are what lead to the big steps. Thanks for your comment.