Patience
First, I invited you to reflect a bit on the concept of Patience. What does Patience truly mean to you? When have you experienced Patience in your life? And what is the result of experiencing Patience in your life?
My impression of Patience
With my best effort, I would like to share some of mine own impressions and experiences of Patience in hopes that they might inspire something good and useful. For me, Patience reminds me of some old wisdom that I grew up with, “Slow and steady wins the race,” “Time heals all wounds,” “Practice makes perfect,” and a question “Why are patients so similar to Patience?(I always get them confused).” To me, this is what is said after some thought and investigation, it takes time and consistent effort to reach a worthwhile goal, pain and suffering decrease over time if you do not irritate the initial cause of the unpleasant experience, you will get better over time with practice (there is no need to worry, you are enough), patient and Patience come from the same Latin root patient meaning suffering (It is interesting how the use of patient is up in recent years where the use of Patience has gone down). I found the information on patient and Patience by typing “patient definition” in google. ...Food for thought. I think that, ultimately, the most important question is how does this make me feel?
Practice
What is Practice? When have you experienced Practice? And what is the result of experiencing this Practice in your life?
I am finding that the more I learn, the more that I Practice, the more I realize how important it is to have an understanding of the meaning I have behind the words and Practice that I express. The reason is tied to this, to consistency, to actually “carrying out” an intended goal. By being more knowledgeable in my language Practice I can be more honest and clear to those that I am expressing my words to (including myself). When I say it like that it really seems like common sense, but there have been many times in the past when I thought differently, “Using more words will explain things clearer,” “Using bigger words will hold more attention.” The roots, according to the same source as mentioned above, of Practice is from the Latin word practicare meaning “carry out, perform.” The personal meanings are as unlimited as those that use the word, but now, we might have some common ground if we focus in a more specific direction like in the historical definition. Do I agree? Practice=carry out, perform? Practice to me, is a way of transference (carry), bringing something into (in) oneself through certain actions or methods, a knowledge or skill to be used in a practical manner, expressed outwardly (out) through action (perform). I think that I would agree, though I might add that acquiring the knowledge or skill, bringing in, is a part of practice that can not be overlooked. Also, I believe that the personal meaning should not be overlooked. Often times the personal meaning enriches the historical definition...but at times, I find that my personal meanings can also lead me so far of the original goal that I become lost, accomplishing little, or none of what I set out to do. In Practice, I believe that we unite the personal to the universal and in so doing create an experience of Peace within that eventually manifests outside into the world and universe.
Patience in Practice
Patience “suffering” in Practice “carry out, perform.” Does it really work this way? What do you say? In my experience I would say that suffering is a component of carrying something out to some degree, but it is not limited to that. Yes suffering comes to me when I experience sore legs from sitting too long in a crossed leg position, when I become hungry, need to use the restroom, or if my mind does not want to pay attention to the teachings for various reasons (Monkey mind). But it is not necessarily so, I have seen a better option in the stillness of a Peace filled mind and body, the spirit radiates a healing light which takes away this suffering. Ironically with suffering performance as the Latin roots of Patience in Practice might have us believe leads one to enlightenment beyond this suffering and even the performance to merely being. This seems true in my experience, in order to want to Practice (it can seem like a lot of work, and pushing beyond my comforts) I have to notice that I am suffering, and desire to change this (“There has to be a better way! I just know it!”). Then I have to Patiently observe the root of that suffering, so that I might have a good idea of what Practice might be beneficial to move me into that better Safer Space. Finding a Practice like learning the Ramayana with many other dear souls is a true blessing! It is much better than the emptiness and hopelessness in suffering that I have experienced in the past. This was even bad enough at some points to bring up thoughts of taking my own life. I have studied my suffering for a long time :( I have experience its absence as well :) I know that Peace can exist within me :) I have noticed that it awakens much more when I am in the sacred Practice of Yoga, union of the soul, mind, and body. The teachings of the Ramayana are an important part of my Patience in Practice :-) You are invited, my friend, to see if they are for you as well :-)
Thank you Ramayana, Swami Dharmakirti, Shanti Ashram, satvic food, nature, honest seekers, fellowship, and you, my friend, for taking the time to be here today, to read these words! :-) It is amazing how we can Love and support each other just by doing what is best for ourselves, because when we do what is truly helpful beyond convenience and ease, we help all living beings just the same :-) Have a wonderful day, my friend! Thank you so much for joining me, for being wonderful you! I hope that you enjoyed “Thank You Peace :-) For a Patience in Practice :-)” May we all find the Patience which supports our journeys to our true fulfilled Selves! May we Practice bravely and compassionately in the knowledge that Peace is possible, allowing it to take root within, so that it may spread beyond our personal comforts into the realm of Truth and Love :-) Love, Aaron :-)