Patience enables us to achieve what we once thought 

could never be ours.

Patience enables us to endure what those who are unable to practice it would normally find upsetting. These include physical discomfort, insults, and setbacks in one’s practice. 

Patience enables us to understand that such things are the karmic results of the thoughts and behaviors we committed. With insight, we will begin to realize that becoming angry rather than remaining calm and quiet will create enmities. New enmities will further deter the building of Dharma relationships, affinities that will allow us to teach the Dharma to others once we are born in the Pure Land and uncover our innate abilities. 

Patience is not just about endurance. 

Or about awaiting better conditions. Because irritations and setbacks test our patience, they are opportunities to deepen it, which, in turn, will help us advance on the path to liberation. 

The peaceful environment we seek, can be found wherever we are, even . . .

“Receive without pride,

let go without attachment.”

No, this was not said by the Buddha but by Marcus Aurelius. Whether we’re lauded for an accomplishment at work or in our community, praised by those we hold important in our lives, or honored by those we don’t even know, we need to “receive without pride.”

Remember, we could not have accomplished what we did alone, in a vacuum. Accomplishments are a combination of our actions and those of others. An amalgamation of everyone’s conditions correctly aligned, all due to results of past actions. Yes, the conditions were right for us. But there’s no reason for us to get carried away. 

With our bearings steady, when conditions change, we will not be off-kilter when praise and honors pass on to others. Not being enamored with receiving recognition, we are able to “let go without attachment.” 

We are appreciative of what is happening but not excited by it. And we will remain calm and accepting in the face of what passes from us