What Is Stress?
Scientifically, stress is the body’s non-specific response to any demand for change. It involves a complex reaction to perceived threats or challenges. Why is there a perception of threat? There is certain level of comfort in one’s current state and the new situation or experience threatens that comfort as it demands a change. This resistance to change causes stress.
The Root Cause of Stress: Resistance
The fundamental source of stress is resistance. Resistance manifests in three distinct forms:
- Present: Resisting what is occurring or unfolding in the present moment.
- Past: Resisting thoughts about unpleasant events that have happened in the past, which is also referred to as regret.
- Future: Resisting the possibility of something undesirable happening in the future, commonly known as anxiety.
How Resistance Develops
To effectively address stress, one must confront its root cause: resistance. Resistance emerges when there are strong expectations or desires about events and circumstances that have not yet occurred, or an inability to accept what has already happened. What happens in life is rarely under complete personal control. An event or experience is a combination of actions of oneself, and others involved in creating that. Expecting others to always act in accordance with one’s wishes is unreasonable, especially when it is difficult to ensure that one’s own actions are always wise or appropriate. Therefore, it is natural for outcomes to remain uncertain. Ego, however, often demands certainty, behaving as though it has control over all variables that influence an event or experience. This unrealistic expectation places the ego in a perpetually stressful position.
Overcoming Stress Through Non-Resistance
The solution to stress lies in non-resistance, to acknowledge and recognize the events as is, without any resistance. It is not a passive or meek reaction to circumstances. Instead, non-resistance comes from the strength to face any situation without fear. It is a pragmatic approach, rooted in the understanding that most situations are not within one’s control, and that one can only control how to respond to those situations.
This approach is based on confidence—trusting that, no matter what is thrown at oneself by the world / circumstances, one would figure out a way that is appropriate to resolve that. All appropriate measures are thought of and taken, through assertive action which could include fighting for what is right. Even if one is forced to accept the situation, that comes from an understanding that there is nothing more one can do other than to accept it. Once in acceptance, it does not become a failure. The confidence in acceptance gives strength in facing the difficulties no matter how hard they are while constantly striving to ease the pain and suffering. All these brings the strength in the character of oneself. The beginning of this process is to stop resisting.
