“For every resolve, there is always at least some resistance to its fulfillment.” — Rod Stryker
Now that you have a clear picture and feelings of your soul’s desires, how much do you really want it? What’s in your way? Let’s face it, even when our soul wants something, the body, it’s environment, life’s patterns, and Julia Cameron’s “crazy-makers” (those special people who always get in the way, remind you of your resistance, are melodramatic, expect special treatment, may not have your best interest at heart, and who drive you crazy!) can easily get in the way. As we find ourselves at the center of this creative journey, I am confident that there is enough support, strength and creative fire to look into that darkness with courage. Knowing the resistance to our desires is equally as important as knowing what we truly want.
Stryker proposes the creation equation to observe the different energies at play around desire.
It’s basic formulation states that to reach Prapti (P), the fulfillment or attainment of your desire, the Intensity of shakti (Is), the power of your desire, PLUS the intensity of vayu (Iv), the actions and energy you put forth towards achieving that desire, must be greater than the Intensity of karma (Ik).
(Is) The intensity of Shakti is the energy behind your initial impulse or desire. It is what lights you up to fulfill a specific desire. The more you want it, the more potency there is against the resistance to successfully achieve your goal.
(Iv) Intensity of Vayu is the total energy you direct towards fulfilling your resolve. This is your personal energetic investment made to fulfill your desire. It is the expression of your shakti; how you interface with “will power, discipline, love, finances, networking skills, patience, forgiveness, self-acceptance, intelligence, self-study, clarity, discernment, laughter and joy.” (Stryker, 2011)
(Ik) Intensity of Karma in this context is the total resistance that obstructs you from fulfilling your desire. This includes both internal and external resistance. This part of the equation can represent our own self-doubt, physical and emotional barriers, financial struggles, opposition, health problems and, of course, the “crazy-makers.” Also in this category is vikalpa — that which separates you from your dharma, your soul’s purpose.
(P) Prapti is the sanskrit term for the attainment of your desire.
Today we are going to be working with karma or the resistance that gets in the way of our sankalpa. There are two kinds of resistance: internal and external. Internal resistance includes those obstacles that are in your control: lack of discipline, self-doubt, finances, a crazy-maker, deadlines, etc. External obstacles are those that you have no control over, like natural disasters or the sickness of a loved one. Both kinds of resistance affect this side of the equation.
Here is our task:
Although not a difficult creative endeavor, it will set us up for a bigger project.
Supplies:
One sheet of paper
Pen or pencil
In your notebook, you are going to fill the page with your sankalpa, like in Likhita Japa, but this time you will listen for the resistance. Whenever the mind wanders from sankalpa to resistance, you will write down the resistance. This exercise allows for the resistance to come to the surface, and for us to acknowledge it. Then continue to write your sankalpa.
Funny, the last time I vividly remember doing this exercise I was also looking for a home… in Paris, France, where I felt more resistance than looking for a home in the United States. Much of what came to the surface was my inability to communicate, the difficulty of searching for a home, not knowing what was a “good” neighborhood, being able to afford a place in a good neighborhood, the feeling of not really knowing anyone, not having a job, my husband not having a job, my limited French vocabulary… you get the idea.
I allowed all these thoughts to come to the surface. As soon as that thought was gone, Icontinued writing my sankalpa. If the same thought persisted, I wrote it again until I felt like there was no more resistance lingering in my mind, or for approximately 7-10 minutes.
When you are done, look for the recurring resistance, circle or write it down. You’ll need it for tomorrow’s creative practice.
* Crazy-makers are those special people who always get in the way, remind you of your resistance, are melodramatic, expect special treatment, may not have your best interest at heart, and who drive you crazy!
References: The Four Desires by Rod Stryker
The Artist Way by Julia Cameron