Are You Fighting the Negative Forces of Your Life?

I found this quote today in one of my favorite books, the Tao Te Ching:

Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men
doesn’t try to force issues
or defeat enemies by force of arms.
For every force there is a counterforce.
Violence, even well intentioned,
always rebounds upon oneself.

The Master does his job
and then stops.
He understands that the universe
is forever out of control,
and that trying to dominate events
goes against the current of the Tao.
Because he believes in himself,
he doesn’t try to convince others.
Because he is content with himself,
he doesn’t need others’ approval.
Because he accepts himself,
the whole world accepts him.

Tao Te Ching Ch. 30, translated by Stephen Mitchell

Those in the Circle of Darkness know my fascination with the Tao Te Ching. I find it holds so much wisdom that is applicable to everyday life. Yes, even as a black magician. But more on that another day.

Is there any part of your life that you feel like you have to push against? Even if you aren’t literally using violence against it, where are you pushing or resisting, or trying to “dominate events”?

This chapter shows, and I’ve found it to be completely true, that whatever you use force against, will respond in kind. If you push against something, it will only get bigger and more negative in your life. If you try to control things by force, they will never go as you hoped.

I’d say this is the biggest issue I try to convince clients out of. They are trying to force their manifestation, or pushing against the absence of it. They are trying to make it happen with techniques and action. And, it’s obviously not working for them.

As a black magician, I believe the best path is always the path of least effort, or the path of effortlessness. That doesn’t mean my will isn’t accomplished, only that I find a way to accomplish it that does not directly push against any other element in life.

Because when I get caught up in resisting or using force, in actuality my will isn’t done at all. Or if it is, it’s not at all in the way that I hoped.

So I use effortlessness, and still, I get what I want. That’s the key to true success.

Force comes out of insecurity, as the second paragraph of the quote suggests. If you have no need to make anything happen, because you feel no lack right now, then all will flow far more smoothly.

So check in your life, in these areas where you are pushing, forcing, or resisting, what would happen if you just stopped doing that? What would happen if you took a more effortless approach?

If you haven’t already, I suggest trying out the 7 day effortlessness challenge I had documented last week. It will help you to work on these exact sorts of issues and stop resisting life so strongly.

Check It Out Here

By the way, did you enjoy the format of this message, commenting on the Tao Te Ching? If so, let me know. I’m experimenting with different ideas for these daily messages.