The more I learn, the more I realize how much resistance works against me. Putting up a strong wall of resistance in a difficult situation only makes it harder to communicate with whoever else is involved and prolongs the tension. Even with myself, resistance causes a lot of problems. For example, trying to drive out unwanted thoughts only strengthens them. How, then, can you settle your thoughts?
The answer requires taking the opposite approach: focus on your thoughts and be very aware of what’s going on in your head. Try challenging yourself to think harder and then watch as that brings you a great deal of mental peace and stillness. I’ve heard this from Alan Watts and Eckhart Tolle and was recently reminded of it when I listened to this TED Talk from Brad Blanton. They all talk about how the mind does the opposite of what you try to get it to do, so trying to forcibly quiet your mind only makes it more active and trying to energize it instead calms it.
I think the best thing to strive for is to have no resistance whatsoever, but hardly anybody seems to actually live that way. Short of that, using life hacks like this that make resistance work for you rather than against you is a great alternative option. I’ve used this life hack a lot lately to quiet my own mind and be at peace in the present moment. It works wonderfully every time I use it and I highly recommend you give it a try the next time you’re overthinking or feeling stressed.