The value of patience

When I was in the convent, the older nuns used to offer some really valuable advice about spiritual development. They would say, "Don't pull yourself up by the roots to see how you're growing." Often those of us new to the life would yield to the temptation to engage in an unskillful kind of introspection. I observe that now sometimes with people who get impatient about their progress. Lama Surya Das speaks to this issue in his book, Awakening the Buddha Within. This passage is from the chapter on "Right Effort":

We all have instant-coffee mind today: What we want, we want now. Just add hot water, and it's ready. But in the spiritual dimension, however urgently you may feel the need to progress - hasten slowly, and you will soon arrive. Pulling upon the flowers with your hands every day does not help them grow more, and may even harm their natural blooming process. On the other hand, skillful nurturing with the right combination of water, air, sunlight, and fertilizer can maximize their innate growth potential. This wise gardening method is not unlike the appropriate effort that is just right for individual spiritual growth and personal development.

One of my own meditation teachers, Rob Nairn*, often emphasized the importance of meditating just to meditate - not to gain any results. It's true that results will slowly happen but attachment to results sabotages the process because it focuses on the future instead of letting the mind rest in the moment. Just be with what is and accept what is. Then let the progress take care of itself.

*All of Rob's books and videos are available at the Center