Swamiji says …
” ‘Impatience’ is, most certainly, the numero uno vice in today’s world. We are constantly rushing, overspeeding, overtaking and seeking immediate gratification. ‘Who has the time to be anything but impatient ?’ we counter. It is easy to get angry, lose control, scream and yell, but nearly impossible to exercise restraint and keep calm, when things don’t pan out the way we would want them to. It is during such moments, that the ‘impatient’ streak in us, hurtles through the checkposts of caution, patience and tolerance at breakneck speed, with complete indifference and arrogance ; as though, trying to wipe out the very existence of timid and humble ‘patience’. And, not surprisingly, it succeeds in doing so to a certain extent !”
“ Remember, it is not easy to be patient, as one needs a lot of inner strength to stop himself from reacting, in a predictable manner, in a particular situation,and, this strength is not present in each one of us. Discarded and rejected by most of us without any misgivings or regret, ‘patience’ has indeed become a rare and exceptional quality. We find it taxing and demanding to be patient; so much so, that even on being admonished by others for playing truancy with ‘it’ and not abiding by ‘its’ simple rules, we refuse to give up our rigidity and continue to behave in an impatient manner.”
” Guidelines from well wishers like – ‘Can you please be patient !’ ‘ ‘Have some patience! The best is still to come !’ prove to be totally ineffective as we refuse to change our adamant viewpoint. Foolish that we are, we fail to understand the importance of these words that are said for our good; to instil hope in us; to slow us down; to warn us; and to advise us. But, do we pause, even momentarily, to listen to the strength, hope and belief that these promising words have in them? Their resonance falls on deaf ears, as the powerful currents of impatience, makes us mock the futility of being in the ‘patient’ lane of this fast-paced world. Even our response to such advice is a nonchalant shrug, accompanied by a telling look, that speaks volumes about what we think of being patient. A look of utter disbelief that says out loud and clear – ‘What? Patience and me don’t go hand in hand ! ‘ can be read by all easily. The fear of being viewed as a ‘loser who waits’ makes us forget completely that ‘patience’ is the greatest treasure that we possess. It is not a sign of weakness, but, one that signifies endurance, tolerance and gives us the strength to face and solve problems.”
“ Patience is not to be mistaken with ‘waiting’ or ‘inaction’. To be patient means to simply accept that things will happen and occur in their own time. Perhaps the best example of this is when we are caught in a major traffic jam. There are some of us who constantly honk and create a ruckus till the traffic finally moves; and, then there are some who talk with friends or relatives over the phone; listen and sing alongwith the songs playing on the radio and take a much needed reprieve from their hectic life. Finally, all of us, do reach our destination. Some a little early, some a little later. But, it is the patient ones amongst us, who enjoy and savour their journey, be it in a car or in life.”
“‘Dheeraj’ aur ‘dhairya’ insaan mein zaroor hona chahiye, kyunki ‘sabr’ hummey doosron ke prati namr banata hai, unke dukh dard baantna sikhata hai, unki dekh bhaal karna sikhata hai aur ‘adhyatmik’ path par ‘shradha’ se chalne ka raasta dikhata hai!”