There is a concept in yoga called 'ahimsa' which means 'to not injure'. Ahimsa is a multi-dimensional concept that can also be applied to Gandhi's non-resistance movement which eventually led to the toppling of British imperial rule in India in the 1940s. There is another spiritual concept that says "what we resist persists". So if we are in resistance to something, it will keep showing up and it might even grow stronger.
What does any of this have to do with markets and trading?
Actually quite a lot.
In a blog post posted a couple days ago my favorite trading psychologist, Brett Steenbarger, writes about choosing to experience markets in an 'awe-inspiring' way. What if we choose to not resist what markets are doing and instead choose to experience markets as magical and infinite? Imagine how our energy will shift if we move from being in resistance to what markets are doing to being in acceptance and seeing markets through an awe-inspiring lens. This will shift our energy from being full of resistance with negative emotions to positive emotions which will enable new ideas and possibilities to enter our mental filter. Literally a night and day transformation!
"Trading with your ego ultimately depletes our energy, as we take too many P/L dings. Trading with a sense of openness and awe can give us energy. It can be inspiring. And that inspiration and awe can help us change how we see the world--it becomes a *positive* corrective emotional experience. Many traders become frustrated with markets and fight what is happening. How different it is to experience markets as awe-some!" ~ Dr. Brett Steenbarger
What if we chose to practice ahimsa in markets? Accept what is, because it's all there is, and be open to all ideas and possibilities. Imagine how much more is possible this way, as opposed to staying stuck in preconceived notions about what the market should be doing, and arguing that the market is wrong.
Trading is an art and a science, and there's no magic formula for being a perfect trader. I am fully aware that there will be times when the 'right' move will be to argue with the market, albeit briefly with a complete willingness to admit that one is wrong. Trading is a dance, the best traders are able to dance in and out more gracefully and never get overly committed to the way they have it.
Non-resistance. Strong opinions, weakly held.
The market is the ultimate arbiter of whether my positions are right or wrong. And ultimately being right isn't what trading is about, making money is what it's about. If you want to be right or prove something I recommend picking up a hobby that will cost you less.
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