Law of Resistance

Law of Resistance

If you eat a mango, if you do any kind of work, it produces an impression in the subconscious mind or Chitta. This impression is called Samskara or tendency. Whatever you see, hear, feel, smell or taste causes Samskaras. The acts of breathing, thinking, feeling, and willing produce impressions. These impressions are indestructible. They can only be fried in toto by Asamprajnata Samadhi. Man is a bundle of Samskaras. Mind is a bundle of impressions. It is these Samskaras that bring a man again and again to this physical plane. They are the cause for rebirths. These Samskaras assume the form of very big waves through memory, internal or external stimulus. The sum-total of these impressions constitutes the character of a man. If you do virtuous actions, the Chitta will contain good impressions and you will possess a good character. If you do evil deeds there will be evil impressions in the subconscious mind, and you will have a bad character. Good Samskaras force a man to do good actions and vice versa. If you have a great asset of good Samskaras, you will not do any evil action at all. You will have an established good character. Mara or Satan can have no influence upon you.

Actions produce Samskaras or impressions or potencies. The impressions coalesce together through repetition and form habits. Tendencies develop into habits and character. The sum-total of the tendencies of a man is his character. Karmas manufacture character and character manufactures will. If the character is pure and strong, the will also will be pure and strong, and vice versa.

It is said that habit is second nature. I always say that habit is all nature. Control of habits is control of nature. Old, evil habits can be changed into healthy and desirable habits through the force of the pure irresistible will. A weak, impotent man is a slave of habits. He always imagines that habits are innate and that they cannot be changed in one’s lifetime. This is a mistake. If you want to change the old, morbid evil habits and establish new, healthy and good habits, you will have to struggle hard. The old habits will try to return, resist, persist and recur. Internal fight will go on between the old and new Samskaras, between old and new habits. You will have to be very vigilant, careful and circumspect. You will have to be on the alert like a soldier who is on patrol duty at a magazine in a military cantonment. The old habit asserts itself and says: “O friend! You gave me a seat in your body and mind for twenty long years. You enjoyed several things through me. Why do you try to drive me off now? You are very cruel. I have every right and privilege from Nature, my kind mother, to remain here. Maya works through me only. The entire world runs through habits only. Man clings to tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, smoking, cinema, novels, gambling and playing cards through the force of habits. The whole world will dwindle into airy nothing but for me. The Lila of the Lord will stop had it not been for my presence in your system. I will not leave my seat in your body.” This is the law of resistance. If the man who is attempting to eradicate an evil habit is careless, the old habit will recur again. In the beginning it may recur less frequently and last for a long time. Or it may recur less frequently and last for a short time. But you will gain strength and gradually it will perish altogether and the new good habits will gain supremacy eventually.

If a new healthy habit is introduced even once and if you make even a single attempt in planting a new good habit, the good habit will grow gradually. It will also assert itself to gain a seat in the body and mind. It will work itself till it gets perfect success and defeats the old, morbid habit. This is also another law of Nature. There is always a double life in Nature, the Asuric and Daivic. The fight between the Asuras and the Devas is always going on in the body and the mind. If you struggle very hard, the new good habits will establish themselves quickly. You will have rapid progress in the spiritual path. The pure, strong, irresistible will is bound to succeed ultimately. It can do anything. Its powers are ineffable and wonderful.

Law of Resistance – Inner Obstacles, Discipline, and Spiritual Strength

Law of Resistance is a meaningful principle that explains why every effort toward growth faces opposition. Whenever a person tries to improve, purify the mind, control desires, or move toward a higher goal, some form of resistance naturally appears. This resistance may come from old habits, laziness, fear, doubt, attachment, ego, society, or unfavorable circumstances. It tests the sincerity, patience, and strength of the seeker.

In ordinary life, resistance can be seen everywhere. A student wants to study, but the mind seeks distraction. A person wants to wake early, but the body asks for more sleep. A seeker wants to meditate, but thoughts become restless. Someone wants to speak truth, but fear of criticism appears. These examples show that progress is not automatic. Every noble effort has to pass through inner and outer difficulty.

Law of Resistance teaches that obstacles are not always enemies. Sometimes they are necessary for growth. A muscle becomes stronger when it works against resistance. In the same way, willpower becomes stronger when a person faces difficulty and continues with discipline. If everything were easy, courage, patience, and determination would never develop deeply. Resistance becomes a teacher when it is understood properly.

The strongest resistance often comes from the mind itself. The mind is used to familiar patterns. It does not easily give up old pleasures, repeated thoughts, and comfortable habits. Even when a person knows what is right, the mind may pull toward what is easy. This is why knowledge alone is not enough. Knowledge must be supported by practice, discipline, and repeated effort.

Law of Resistance also appears through desire. Desire does not like control. When a person tries to live with moderation, desire may become stronger for some time. If someone tries to avoid anger, anger may rise suddenly. If someone tries to reduce attachment, the mind may create fear of loss. This does not mean the effort is failing. It often means hidden tendencies are coming to the surface to be purified.

Fear is another form of resistance. Many people remain stuck because they fear failure, rejection, criticism, or change. They may know that a better life is possible, but they hesitate to take the first step. Fear creates excuses and delays action. A wise person does not wait for fear to disappear completely. They move forward with courage, even when fear is present.

Ego also resists growth. Ego does not like correction, humility, or surrender. It wants praise and superiority. When someone points out our weakness, ego becomes hurt. When spiritual practice asks us to reduce pride, ego quietly rebels. Therefore, sincere self-examination is necessary. A person must ask, “Am I resisting truth because it is wrong, or because my ego does not like it?”

Law of Resistance can also be seen in social life. When a person tries to live simply, others may mock them. When someone leaves bad habits, old friends may pull them back. When a seeker becomes serious about discipline, careless people may call it unnecessary. Outer resistance tests whether the person is truly committed or only temporarily inspired.

The best way to overcome resistance is steady practice. Sudden excitement may begin a journey, but only regular effort can complete it. A person should not depend only on mood. They should follow routine, whether the mind likes it or not. Small daily actions, repeated sincerely, slowly become stronger than old habits. Discipline wins where emotion fails.

Law of Resistance also requires patience. Inner change does not happen in one day. Old tendencies may return again and again. The mind may become restless after some progress. Failure may appear even after sincere effort. But a seeker should not become hopeless. Falling is not the real defeat. Refusing to rise again is the defeat. Every correction makes the will stronger.

Good company helps in overcoming resistance. If a person remains among lazy, negative, or careless people, their own effort may weaken. But if they stay close to disciplined, sincere, and noble-minded people, they gain inspiration. Books, teachers, prayer, meditation, and service also create a supportive inner environment. A strong atmosphere protects a weak will until it becomes mature.

Self-reflection is another useful method. At the end of the day, a person can ask, “Where did I resist growth today? Did I avoid duty? Did I follow desire? Did fear stop me? Did ego reject correction?” These questions awaken honesty. Without reflection, resistance hides behind excuses. With reflection, it becomes visible and easier to overcome.

Law of Resistance finally shows that spiritual strength is built through struggle. The path of truth is not always comfortable, but it is deeply rewarding. Every time a person chooses discipline over laziness, courage over fear, humility over ego, and wisdom over desire, they become stronger. Resistance then becomes not a wall, but a stepping stone.

In the end, resistance is part of every meaningful journey. It tests the seeker, reveals weakness, and develops power. A person who understands this does not run away from difficulty. They face it with patience, faith, and steady effort. Through this process, the mind becomes disciplined, the heart becomes pure, and life moves toward inner freedom.

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