Friction Makes Work for You

Friction Makes Work for You

Work means friction, conflict between 'yes' and 'no', between the part that wishes to work and the part that does not wish to work. There are many parts of us that do not wish to work, so the moment you begin to work friction starts. If I decide to do something and a part of me does not wish to do it, I must insist as much as I am able, on carrying out my decision. – P.D. Ouspensky

I have noticed that when I can muster up inner strength to resist my mechanical tendencies or automatic settings, the friction produced leads to higher possibilities. Energy is available for transformation, for self-remembering. Efforts to awaken, such as being more intentional, yield more moments of Presence as the friction of the Work sparks and ignites the Higher Self.

The opportunities for self-work range from large areas of friction, such as managing blindness as shown in the painting of the Greek poet, Homer, to the smaller daily and mundane trials. For example, wiping the bathroom sink after shaving and washing up in the morning, rather than leaving remnant water splashes and whiskers on the sink is a small but daily source of friction. There is always resistance to the aim of leaving the bathroom sink better than I found it.

The “tomorrow” beast arrives predictably and says do it later. But there is no later, just Now! The trick is to use that friction to be more awake. The condition of the sink does not matter; however, it is a matter of my life and death, of my being more awake or more asleep. Who wins?

Friction is the struggle between presence and sleep. – The Teacher

It is especially challenging and fruitful to work with other people. Strangely enough, friction is almost guaranteed when working with others who share a common aim of awakening. I invariably encounter feelings that someone should treat me differently or be more thoughtful, etc. These feelings arise because of identification and inner considering. Then my Work ‘I’s arrive, and I can see my shallow indignation and vanity, and start anew with suspending my judgment and accepting people as they are. “It’s not about me,” is a useful Work I in the case of working with other people to bring more Presence into my daily life, an antidote to my petty identifications, transforming the friction.

A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials. – Seneca

What friction have you observed when you try to be out of patterns or resist the machine? Have you had success in transforming the friction? If so, what has worked for you? If you have never asked a question on this site, this is your chance. Resist your inertia and fear - assert your aim. Ask your question. We will do our best to answer it.

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Homer and His Guide, William Bouguereau