Types of Encounter

Think about how differently water meets stone versus how wind meets leaves, or how a door stuck from paint feels different from one stuck from misalignment. Each type of resistance has its own character, its own information, and its own invitation. Let's explore these different encounters.

Direct Opposition

Like meeting a wall head-on:

  • Clear and immediate

  • Straightforward feedback

  • Obvious boundary

  • Direct information

Experience this through:

  • Physical barriers

  • Clear disagreement

  • Explicit limits

  • Definite boundaries

Indirect Tension

Like trying to untangle string:

  • Complex interaction

  • Multiple points of contact

  • Interconnected pressure

  • Subtle resistance

Notice this in:

  • Relationship dynamics

  • System complications

  • Pattern tangles

  • Network tension

Structural Mismatch

Like puzzle pieces that almost fit:

  • Form doesn't align

  • Function conflicts

  • Pattern clashes

  • Natural incompatibility

Feel this through:

  • Awkward processes

  • Forced connections

  • Unnatural fits

  • System strain

System Protection

Like an immune response:

  • Natural defense

  • Healthy boundary

  • Automatic response

  • Protective feedback

Observe this in:

  • Group dynamics

  • Established patterns

  • Living systems

  • Natural boundaries

Practical Application

Try this exercise:

  1. Notice different types of resistance:

    • Where do you meet walls?

    • What feels tangled?

    • What doesn't quite fit?

    • What protects itself?

  2. For each one, feel:

    • Its particular quality

    • What information it offers

    • What response it invites

    • What possibility it creates

Working With Different Types

Remember:

  • Each type tells you something

  • Each invites specific response

  • Each creates unique opportunity

  • Each serves system health

The goal isn't to categorize perfectly but to recognize different qualities while developing appropriate response.

When identifying resistance:

  • Feel its specific quality

  • Notice its natural character

  • Sense what it's telling you

  • Allow appropriate response

Remember: Like learning to read different types of weather, recognizing different types of resistance helps you navigate more effectively with what's actually present.

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