Resisting Our Demons
In this episode, I explore the concept of "resisting our demons" through the lens of Buddhist teachings, particularly the Zen kōan "The Real Miracle" and the story of Milarepa. I discuss how true miracles are found in ordinary moments like eating when hungry, rather than extraordinary feats, and how we often overlook the miracle of simply being alive. The core teaching is that whatever we resist persists, and this is especially true for our negative emotions and difficult thoughts, which we often label as "demons." Instead of fighting these inner experiences, the practice is to accept them, to befriend them, and to understand the "how" and "why" behind our thinking, rather than focusing on "what" we should think or do. This shift in perspective, from resistance to acceptance and understanding, is presented as the path to reducing suffering and living a more skillful life, ultimately empowering us to change our actions by understanding their root causes.
