Patience as a Spiritual Practice

PRACTICE

52 Weeks of Spiritual Practice

By Deborah Williams

The purpose of the 52 Principles is to develop a partnership, a connection with God. Connecting with God is why we are here; the soul’s desire. To be in communication with the Creator is ideally the most fulfilling life, our best life. The intent of the 52 Principles is God-realization through daily practice. Practice the principles with frequency and find God-consciousness through your own efforts. This week’s spiritual principle is Patience.

Patience is waiting with anticipation, and being open to what will come next. Patience is knowing that a delay is not a denial. Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen who are purified and holy and well-beloved by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by tenderhearted mercy, kind feeling, gentle ways, and patience, having the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper (Colossians 3:12). Patience requires acceptance, receptiveness, awareness, and non-judgment. Impatience is anticipation of a future event, no restraint, taking offence and being offended, and fear of not getting what we want. Beneath all our agitation, restlessness, and boredom is patience waiting to calm the mind.

Can you hurry the growth of a seed? Our thoughts, words, desires, and actions are like seeds. We don’t see the roots growing deep and if we are not patient and attentive, we miss the first sprout above ground. And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. (Galatians 6:9).  It takes less than twenty-four hours for a mushroom to grow,  compared to decades for an oak tree. Thoughts, words, and action are like seeds, and with patience, faith, and time all things come to full maturity.

Patience strengthens us for what comes next. Exercising patience is an opportunity for growth.  We will not be asked to do more than we are able to do. The scriptures are clear on the purpose of patience. Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way (James 1:2-4). During our transitional period of growth, old patterns take time to dissolve. Be patient with Self, real change takes time.

Patience Practices

• Slowly fill 100 small bottles with water, one by one, with patience; take your time. Say to yourself, “I filled one bottle and I have 99 to go.” Children can observe the art of patience through this activity.
• Waiting as a meditative state. Utilize meditation as a tool to slow your pace – sit and wait. Practice waiting, doing nothing but sitting and waiting like a cat or bird; be available for further instruction.
• Time as an illusion; think of a time when you experienced timeless awareness. Time passed by quickly and you lost track of time. Where did the time go? Or you experienced a “long” day where time moved slowly. Be aware of your perception of time and events.
•   Patience as a state of sacredness; practice patience by being attentive, alert, and waiting for what comes next (Matthew 25: 5-11).
•   Practice body awareness by being conscious of your breath (inhale and exhale). Focus on your breathing, not on your thoughts.
• The process of making tea; waiting from the beginning to the end and doing nothing in between.

Self-Assessment
When are you the most impatient?
What are your thoughts and feelings when you are impatient?
How do you experience time? Are you hurried?
Do you wait in doubt, fear, knowingness or love?
What does your waiting look like?
When do you experience timeless awareness?
When does time “stand still”?

Patience and Kindness are partners. The more we hurry, the less time we take to help others. The concept of time differs between cultures, locations, and families. Fast and slow rhythms in cultures are neither good nor bad. What is important is to be kind and respect the other’s rhythm (fast or slow) with patience.

To reach the soul level, time and patience are essential. Do not leave your soul’s work behind because you are hurried. Enjoy what is now by practicing kindness and patience. Challenge your impatience and consider the needs of others; have an honorable intent.

How do you demonstrate patience with Self and others? Develop your own spiritual practice.

Peace and Many Blessings