The War of Art

Why is it so hard to create?  Because you battle against Resistance.

What does Resistance feel like?

First, unhappiness.  We feel like hell.  A low-grade misery pervades everything.  We’re bored we’re restless.  We can’t get no satisfaction.  There’s guilt but we can’t put our finger on the source.

This lesson will help you identify Resistance, defang it, and overcome it.

Key Principle

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. – Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Key Verse

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Homework

• Read the entirety of The War of Art
  • Warning: We do not agree with everything he says, nor with his occasional foul language.  However, it is so chocked full of truth for creators its brilliance is worth it’s brokenness.  Common grace abounds through Pressfield.

Discussion Questions

1. What did you get out of the intro where he describes his typical day of work?
2. What stood out in part 1?
3. What forms of resistance did you most identify with?
4. What stood out in part 2?
5. What did you think of the comparison between the professional and amateur?  Did you find it interesting it has nothing to do with pay and everything to do with attitude?
6. What did you think of the statement the amateur doesn’t go pro because they don’t love it enough?
7. What stood out in part 3?
8. Pressfield pulls illustrations and points from a variety of religions: Kabbalah, New Age Mysticism, Christianity, Buddhism.  How would you restate his conclusions from your worldview?
9. How are you different for having read this book?
10. What changes will you make based on what you now know about Resistance?