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| wish I could be in Brasil w my four cousins… |
Last night I was rereading Pema Chodron’s book Start Where You Are. If you haven’t read it, what are you waiting for?? Pema’s words are like liquid gold, every drop is filled with such wisdom it takes your breath away.
Anyway, the passage I read discussed the importance of patience. I don’t see patience come up often my readings and it took me by a bit of a surprise. To be honest, I always forget this very virtue. Who needs is anyway?
I am not known for my patience and it’s further exacerbated by society’s good intentions. I say I want to do this in my life and everyone gives me suggestions of how I’m YOUNG I should just drop everything and GO and DO and LIVE. This only furthers the thought that being content isn’t living. Which as you all know isn’t quite the case.
Then I get on my yoga mat. Yoga gives me a daily dose of patience because no matter how much my mind wants to master a pose, it takes slow dedication, strengthening and lengthening of my body in order to get there. I remember a friend telling me I must be super flexible considering I do yoga nearly every day. I laughed and told her not quite – one cannot rush the science of the body just as one cannot rush the opening of a flower. And why would you even want to? Rushing means not witnessing and experiencing the power of the transformation, which is almost more exciting than the result itself.
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| Rio de Janeiro |
In my desire to life fully, I sometimes forget that life is much like my yoga mat. No matter how much my mind wants to travel Southeast Asia and have this sort of job and live in this sort of city, I can only get there one step a time.
Living life to the fullest doesn’t mean being impatient and demanding it all.What it does mean is to be open to all that is right now and whatever happens, happens. It’s a slow realization to say the least, but I’m tenderly starting to accept it. Patience does not mean putting off your dreams because now is not the right time. Being patient means acknowledging that everything you do will get you to where you’re supposed to go.
What a wonderful virtue! I think patience and faith really goes hand in hand. In order to be patient with life, one must have faith that it’s all the way it’s supposed to be. By giving yourself this space, you’ll find a lot more freedom to just be where you are. And that’s where you’ll find happiness.
Namaste.
December 22nd, 2011 at 5:18 pm
So beautifully written, thank you for being so open. I love the part, "one cannot rush the science of the body just as one cannot rush the opening of a flower". incredible, going to tweet this with a link to your blog
December 22nd, 2011 at 5:28 pm
i LOVE your blog omg!!! so glad to have connected =) i went to look for your twitter handle but couldn't find it =/
December 22nd, 2011 at 9:48 pm
Thank you again for a post that has me thinking deeply. If I had to name the one challenge I'll be working on from birth to death, it would be patience. I have ADHD, which doesn't help with impulsivity and distractability being in my nature. I used to go on silent retreats and vipassana retreats to deeply practice patience. But, it wasn't until I had kids that all of those crevices and creases where I hid my impatience got poked and prodded. On a daily basis, parenting pulls all of my shortcomings out and makes me deal with them. Now. In the moment. With compassion.This is why I work so hard on the mat. So, I can take it with me off the mat. It's like instant feedback for all those places my ego likes to hide. My frustrations and impatience can be let go in surrender and compassion.
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:21 pm
I have been struggling with this issue all year. I think that it has been a learning process. Learning when to back off and let go. Great post.
December 23rd, 2011 at 3:16 pm
I like to remind my students at the very beginning of class to be patient. It doesn't always work but I'm optimistic that one day it will click. What I feel I need to do is let the patience that I have with my practice permeate everything else in my life… especially when I'm driving and stuck in traffic. Being patient with yourself is really the best way to show love for yourself. Thanks for this wonderful post!
December 24th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
How I loved this passage: Rushing means not witnessing and experiencing the power of the transformation, which is almost more exciting than the result itself.There are some mornings where all I want to do is wake up and be fully limber, my body warmed up and free of its little creaks and cracks. But then when I start doing my morning yoga, stretching slowly, feeling each little opening, I realize that I enjoy witnessing the gradual transformation from stiff to warm and open. When I really tune into the breath and allow myself to feel each transition, it's enjoyable, and it feels good. Rushing through the postures never gives me that sense of aliveness.
December 24th, 2011 at 11:12 pm
Absolutely agreed T. I love that you connected patience as a practice not only towards others BUT also towards oneself. Ahhhh, not always easy…but so important
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December 26th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Exactly! At the end of the day what are we really rushing towards? death? xx
December 26th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Amazing how yoga helps us do that isn't it? Take our lessons off the mat. It's a beautiful thing.