Learning Patience
I once sat under the old Sycamore tree at Dowth and asked the tree for some wisdom. I sat for a while, focusing on my breath and allowing myself become incredibly relaxed. From within the quiet calmness rose a word followed by a sentence:
Patience. Patience in all things.
It's something I say very regularly to my 1-to-1 clients and group participants. And it is a key part of my advice when I say: don't force it, step out of your own way long enough to let the truth through.
It's not something that comes naturally to us. Especially in this modern fast paced world. But it is an ability that you can learned and cultivate.
If you begin in your physical world, the technique can easily be transferred into your spiritual world too. Mundane tasks are the best way to hone in on the feelings associated with impatience and where they rise in the body. Slowly through practice you can build quite a strong resilience to impatience which will provide you with superb patience.
A knotted twisted rope is a great starting point, or a jumbled up string of lights. Focus small, one twist at a time. Feel the tension rise in your chest and through your stiffening fingers. Notice as your ego tries to point out just how pointless your task is a it tries to convince you to give up. And to be honest the more pointless it is the better. Because patience without purpose is a stronger practice still. You may end up throwing the rope or lights away anyway. But think how much stronger you'll be at the journeys end.
Apply titration to your task. Little and often at first. Slowly building your capacity. And remember, it's the process not the outcome that matters most.
If you give it a go, or have your own techniques you wish to share, I'd love to hear from you.
