For almost a year now I have been practicing two skills. The skill of breath work, and the skill of cold water immersion. Both are excellent teachers and have the capacity to change lives, if we do the practice. This is where it gets difficult, like anything that develops and evolves us towards our true potential.
One of my favourite books is Steven Pressfields The War of Art. In it he talks about “Resistance”.
Resistance is the inner force that stops us. Distracts us. Sabotages us. It is something that can be felt and is constant. The closer we get to accomplishing anything, or even starting something new that is good for us. Wham. There it is - Resistance.
The solution. Well there are many, but one we all know of is “the cold”. The shower. The tub. The river. The lake. The ocean. All enemies to resistance. Resistance does not like discomfort. It likes easy. Safe. Instant.
The reason being is the resistance is our ego. And when we go against our ego - essentially any positive change. There is resistance.
Resistance is as constant as our breath. Always there. Always waiting. Sneaky. Cunning. Deceitful in its complexity - waiting to pounce, or to creep in when the moment is ripe.
We all feel it in some shape or form, in different intensities and manifestations. Some are further down the path of the battle within. Some are just experiencing the resistance to the cold, and wondering why it can be so easy one day, and hard the next.
I want all of you to know, that we all experience resistance, and together, supporting one another, we will grow. Step by step. Cold immersion by cold immersion. Positive words. Hugs. Support. A smile and encouragement all reduce the resistance within. This is how we win.
The only way out is through. And when we think we have made it, it will still be there.
Though this time we have experience. We have the discipline. We know that the battle is either won or lost in our mind, and we chose, as the Lakota Sioux say “The Red Road”. This road is tough. It can be lonely. It is hard. Yet is true to our soul.
Each of you inspires me on this journey to be the best that I can be. Not only for myself, but for everyone. And as we all know, the world needs the best in each of us - everyday.
I am sending each of you on the journey of self discovery with the cold and perhaps also the breath positive energy. Encouragement and a smile - because you got this😊