Eknath Easwaran: 'Patience can't be acquired overnight. It is just like building up a muscle. Every day you need to work on it.'

Patience can't be acquired overnight. It is just like building up a muscle. Every day you need to work on it.

In his insightful quote, Eknath Easwaran emphasizes the significance of patience in our lives while using the analogy of building up a muscle. According to him, patience is not something that can be obtained instantaneously, but it requires consistent effort and practice, just like strengthening a muscle. This perspective brings forth an interesting philosophical concept that can shed light on the nature of patience and its development.At its core, Easwaran's quote speaks to the fact that patience is not a trait or ability that is inherently present within individuals. It is not something we are born with, but rather a quality that needs to be cultivated and honed over time. Similar to how muscles grow stronger with consistent exercise, patience requires daily commitment and conscious effort on our part.The importance of patience cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in our personal growth and overall well-being. In a world that constantly demands instant gratification, cultivating patience allows us to navigate life's challenges with resilience and grace. It enables us to overcome obstacles, withstand setbacks, and have a more rational and balanced perspective on our circumstances.To better understand the concept of patience, let's delve into an unexpected philosophical contrast: the concept of instant gratification. In today's era of rapid technological advancements and the availability of immediate solutions, the virtue of patience seems to be diminishing. We live in a culture that glorifies quick fixes and instant results. However, this obsession with immediacy often leads to a lack of appreciation for the process and the journey itself.Instant gratification may provide temporary satisfaction, but it robs us of the valuable life lessons and personal growth that come from patiently working through challenges. By contrast, cultivating patience allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the journey of reaching our goals, learning valuable lessons along the way, and ultimately experiencing a deep sense of fulfillment.To build the muscle of patience, Easwaran encourages us to work on it every day. This means consciously choosing to embrace delays, setbacks, and uncertainties as opportunities for growth rather than sources of frustration. By reframing our perception and viewing patience as a virtue to be developed, we can become more adept at navigating the complexities of life.Just as a bodybuilder gradually increases the weight they lift to build stronger muscles, we can challenge ourselves to expand our capacity for patience. This can be achieved through various practices such as mindfulness, meditation, or simply consciously slowing down and being present in the moment. By consistently applying these practices, we train ourselves to remain calm, composed, and patient in the face of life's inevitable trials and tribulations.In conclusion, Easwaran's quote about patience being akin to building up a muscle provides us with a fresh perspective on the importance of patience and how it can be developed. Patience is not an innate quality but rather a virtue that requires consistent effort and practice. By diverging from society's obsession with instant gratification and embracing the concept of patience as a necessary ingredient for personal growth, we can unlock its transformative power. So, let us approach each day as an opportunity to strengthen our patience muscle, knowing that with each conscious effort, we are one step closer to embodying resilience, serenity, and true fulfillment.