Daily Reflection Sit

In the animate and inanimate, nature does not rush or lean forward but is persistent, constant, alert and accepting of conditions. Adopt the pace of nature, its secret is patience (Emerson).

Understanding the potential harm caused by acting out of impatience. Honoring our pace and the pace of others, remembering that patience is rooted in compassion and equanimity.

Patience yields a bounty of fruits. Patience will ease our passage through samsara and by practicing patience, we grow strength, equanimity and compassion.

Cultivating patience as a proactive and engaged practice within the vicissitudes of our lives; just as we stretch the body, patience stretches the heartmind.

Practicing patience we give ourselves permission to be slow learners giving ourselves time to let our experience filter down from our minds to infuse our hearts and become deeply embodied.

Looking at what the parami of patience teaches us. The goodness of the practice itself, Veruca Salt and I want it now!

We want to cultivate patience so that we can be more at ease and skillful with discomfort. When we cultivate patience, we expand our capacity to accept and tolerate delay, interference and frustration.

What is it like when we are exerting energy in a direction that isn’t beneficial for us? What is behind it? How do we reroute ourselves?

Boredom has its own energy that can be restless and/or lethargic and push us to get lost in distractions or shut down to our own experience. We can make friends with our boredom and embrace it more skillfully to remain interested in our present moment experience.

Recognizing the preciousness of our life energy, noticing habitual ways we use it, stewarding it with intention that is wise, realistic and kind

Right effort asks us if this effort supports our well being and does it support the wellbeing of others. Is it leading us in the direction of less stress and more ease?

Restraining from unskillful ways takes lots of persistence and patience. We learn from our mistakes over and over until we can feel the sweetness of restraint. Whispering ‘not now’ to ourselves can help.

In practice we aim for a balance of energy, not too tight, not too loose. What is needed to create, maintain or restore an energetic balance and harmony– to soften, settle and release pent up, unnecessary energy and gather, kindle, brighten, clarify scattered or dull energy? Play. Explore.

Yes, energy is required, but with less striving and with more welcoming.

Is what you are doing worth the energy you are spending on it? Energy Is a valuable resource, a limited resource that needs to be replenished regularly. This is what the parami of energy is all about, committing to our own wellbeing and using our energy to move in this direction.