Patience

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 Topic: Patience

True Patience is more than just a willingness to wait. It means accepting others for who they are now, and treating all people with dignity no matter where they are on their own path. 

Mantra: “This, too, shall pass.” -Persian Adage

Patience requires Self-Control and Mindfulness. Live in the moment; be aware of what you are doing now, and what you are focusing on. At the same time, give others time and space to walk their own path and find Enlightenment on their own terms. When interacting with others, exercise Patience by letting them express themselves in their own words and waiting for them to finish before responding. Recognize that some people, especially people in distress, may say unenlightened things from time to time. How you choose to respond to those statements should be appropriate to the situation: Sometimes you can offer your personal viewpoint and sometimes you can’t, but to be Patient means accepting others for who they are now. Refrain from passing judgment or making a hurtful remark; Enlightenment never comes from insults. 

 

It is also important to be Patient with yourself. Sometimes you will make mistakes. Try to learn from them without giving up on yourself. Remember that you are only human. If you cause some harm, always apologize and try to make it right, but don’t judge yourself too harshly for the mistake. Give yourself the opportunity to be a better person tomorrow after the lessons you learned today. 


Everything takes time, from the next bus to your next coffee break. We can choose to be Patient and wait with Serenity or not, but the time will pass more easily if we wait in a positive frame of mind. (While waiting for something, one way to use the time wisely is to take a moment to meditate on the Virtues and their Mantras.)  

I associate petrified wood with Patience, as well as three Sacred Animals: Whales, Elephants, and Turtles. 

 

How do you remind yourself to be Patient? Do you find it easier or harder for you to be Patient with yourself or with others? 


Namaste. 

Reverend CJ Carlin 

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