Beyond Resistance

Here comes the fifth and final part- Beyond Resistance after the Introduction to Resistance, Characteristics and Symptoms of Resistance, and Combating Resistance.

In the animal kingdom, individuals define themselves in one of two ways—by their rank within a hierarchy (like a wolf in a pack) or by their connection to a territory (like a hunting ground). This is how individuals—humans as well as animals achieve psychological security. They know where they stand. The world makes sense.

Of the two orientations, the hierarchical seems to be the default setting. It's the one that kicks in automatically when we're kids. School, advertising, and the entire materialist culture drill us from birth to define ourselves by others' opinions. Drink this beer, get this job, look this way and everyone will love you.

There's a problem with the hierarchical orientation, though. When the numbers get too big, the thing breaks down. New York City is too big to function as a hierarchy. So is IBM. So is Michigan State.

We, humans, have territories too. Ours are psychological. Arnold Schwarzenegger's territory is the gym. When Bill Gates pulls into the parking lot at Microsoft, he's on his territory. When you sit down to work, you're on yours.

How can we tell if our orientation is territorial or hierarchical?

One way is to ask ourselves: If I were feeling really anxious, what would I do?

If we would pick up the phone and call six friends, one after the other, with the aim of hearing their voices and reassuring ourselves that they still love us, we're operating hierarchically. We're seeking the good opinion of others.

What would Arnold Schwarzenegger do on a freaky day? He wouldn't phone his buddies; he'd head for the gym. He wouldn't care if the place was empty if he didn't say a word to a soul. He knows that working out, all by itself, is enough to bring him back to his centre.

His orientation is territorial.

Here's another test.

Of any activity you do, ask yourself: If I were the last person on earth, would I still do it?

If you're all alone on the planet, a hierarchical orientation makes no sense. There's no one to impress. So, if you'd still pursue that activity, congratulations. You're doing it territorially.

If Arnold Schwarzenegger were the last man on earth, he'd still go to the gym. Stevie Wonder would still pound the piano. The sustenance they get comes from the act itself, not from the impression it makes on others.

My favourite lines:

• To labour in the arts for any reason other than love is prostitution.

• Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it. Begin it now.

Happy Reading !