The Wisdom to Surrender

Resistance often amplifies the energies it aims to oppose by giving them more power and attention.

We all know what it's like to be haunted by an issue, no matter how hard we try to ignore, avoid, or escape it. It may seem like we can get rid of something unwanted by simply pushing it away. However, most of the time, the more we push, the more resistance we encounter. This is explained by both physical and metaphysical laws, often summarized by the saying: what you resist persists.

Resistance can even enhance the thoughts and feelings it tries to fight by giving them more power. Additionally, it prevents us from understanding what we're trying to avoid. To fully grasp something, we must be open to receiving some of its energy; otherwise, we miss out on its lessons. There’s a Tibetan story about a monk who retreats to a cave to meditate but is plagued by demons. He tries everything—chasing, fighting, hiding—to rid the cave of demons, but what finally works is surrender. By letting them have their way, they disappear.

This wisdom must be applied practically. We shouldn't put ourselves in physical danger. Instead, this story speaks to our inner struggles. The issues that trouble our minds often manifest in our environment through people, events, and challenges that seem beyond our control. These external expressions reflect our inner state, and it is within ourselves that we can safely practice surrendering to what we fear and dislike. It might feel daunting, and we may encounter significant resistance as we start to open up to what we fear. But as we learn to surrender, the demons that plague us will gradually disappear, and we will grow more courageous.