This morning, Jorge, my colleague who teaches Chi Kung and Tai Chi, made me reflect on the value of patience through the lens of Eastern wisdom. He told me: "Here in the West, we lack patience in processes, especially when it comes to healing. We must observe nature; everything unfolds in its own time, without haste."He invited me to let nature inspire how we lead our lives and navigate our own healing journeys.
Western medicine has conditioned us to seek the quick fix: for every pain, a drug that acts immediately. Who allows themselves to stay in bed with a fever today when there is a need to produce? An ibuprofen masks the symptom for a few hours and we push forward, ignoring that our body is screaming for rest.
I have always considered myself an impatient person. I observe it in myself, and I see it perhaps even more intensely in the frantic pace of younger generations. But what does illness, a fall, or a fracture truly teach us? It teaches us to cultivate patience. It forces us to wait for everything to heal calmly, because true healing entails a real transformation on every level.
In contrast to the immediacy of our culture, Traditional Chinese Medicine seeks to restore deep balance so that energy and blood can flow, ensuring an optimal state of health. This vision invites us to develop patience as the most beneficial path to face illness.
I admit it’s hard. It is hard for me, too. That is why I work on my impatience every day through MindfulnessWhen I pause within my impatience, I realize it is simply an attempt to control events. In that moment, I recognize my habit and decide to trade control for letting go and trusting.Ultimately, the greatest lesson in enjoying life lies precisely in this.
As Chapter 67 of the Tao Te Ching beautifully says: Tao Te Ching:
"I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world."
For the Tao, these are the keys to a fulfilling life:
- Compassion allows us to forgive and accept with deep understanding.
- Simplicity helps us avoid drama, recognizing that we already have what we need to be happy right now, leaving no room for the desires that create suffering.
- Patience allows us to transform from the deepest level, letting go of control and developing an unwavering trust in life.
Mindfulness practices help me integrate these three treasures into my daily life, to recognize them within myself and "water" them so they are accessible whenever they are most needed.
Jorge’s words today were a powerful reminder: contemplating nature helps me return to this different way of seeing life. I continue on this path, learning to live every circumstance from a place of peace, tranquility, and unconditional love.
Thank you
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