When faced with a stressful, uncomfortable or tragic situation, we may have a habit to resist it or yield to it. Another way to think of it or feel it, we may contract; physically tighten ourselves or close-in as a way to feel protected. Over time our bodies may hold that contraction and that can lead to body pain. Or we might breathe deeply, open ourselves up and expand into this scary unknown; in a sense, yield to it.

The following excerpt from Eckhart Tolle’s book “A New Earth” seems worth sharing. Do we contract or expand? Resist or yield?

“Whenever tragic loss occurs, you either resist or you yield. Some people become bitter or deeply resentful; others become compassionate, wise and loving. Yielding means inner acceptance of what is. You are open to life. Resistance is an inner contraction, a hardening of the shell of the ego. You are closed. Whatever action you take in a state of inner resistance (which we could also call negativity) will create more outer resistance, and the universe will not be on your side; life will not be helpful. If the shutters are closed, the sunlight cannot come in. When you yield internally, when you surrender, a new dimension of consciousness opens up. If action is possible or necessary, your action will be in alignment with the whole and supported by creative intelligence, the unconditioned consciousness which in a state of inner openness you become one with. Circumstances and people then become helpful, cooperative. Coincidences happen. If no action is possible, you rest in the peace and inner stillness that comes with surrender. ”

xoxoxox