8/3/14 Rev. David McArthur
Non-Resistance–Letting Go
Sometimes you hear “Do not try this at home.” Dennis Nagel, a teacher at my ministerial school, was one of those who is very curious about everything. He wanted to know what would happen if he did complete non-resistance—if he could just be and let the universe support him. So he let his teaching contract run out. He also resigned as minister of his church. He and his wife Kitt even trusted that the universe would provide food and shelter. Things happened to support that. Even the bank kept losing his foreclosure papers. Dennis’ response was passive.
Jesus taught, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. …love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (The greater awareness of the one power, the sun, is beyond the consciousness of evil and good.)
At the wedding in Cana, Jesus’ mother told him there was no more wine. Jesus resisted his mother and said his time hadn’t come. Ignoring him, she went ahead and instructed the servants. So then Jesus did not resist, but changed the water to wine. His non-resistance took him from passivity to action.
As we watch what unfolds we grow in awareness (not necessarily comfort). Lao Tzu put it most beautifully, “The master observes the world but trusts his inner vision. He allows things to come and go”. Practice not doing, “…just stay at the center of the circle and let all things take their course”.
Finally Dennis’ bank got the foreclosure papers together. However, someone called and asked if they’d move in with him. In all the time we knew them they were weel fed and comfortable. They had this urge to put to work this practice of non-resistance—basically by staring fear in the face and moving beyond it.
With Dennis and Kitt a new state of consciousness was created—an awareness of the universe’s care. With Jesus and the water and wine, a new state of consciousness was created, to follow Spirit’s guidance with non-resistance. First acknowledge the resistance. Second, let go and let God. And third, ask for the guidance. It might be to take other action, or to wait and watch with awareness. Remember, Divine goodness fills my life. Divine goodness fills my life. Feel it? It’s there, no matter the discomfort. Divine goodness fills my life!!