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Patience

A lecture by Sri Chinmoy
at All Angels’ Church, New York

There is not a single human being on earth who does not need patience, especially we who are seekers of infinite Light and Truth. We need patience more than others for we are consciously, soulfully and devotedly aiming at the highest Goal. The higher the goal, the more patience we need. We want to climb up Mount Everest in the spiritual life. Naturally we need conscious, constant and unending patience. It is not like climbing up an ant hill or even an ordinary hill; it cannot be done in the twinkling of an eye.

In our ordinary human life we have problems with our superiors, inferiors and equals. We have need of patience with our superiors when they exploit us and misuse our capacity and humility. We have need of patience with our inferiors when they mistrust our sincere appreciation and good will or anything that we want to do for them. We have need of patience with our equals because there comes a time when our equals do not want to stay with us or live in us and for us any more. But at the same time they want us to live only for them. They feel that they have to surpass us — that is their inner joy, that is their duty, while our duty is to remain where we are and please them in their own way. They want to surpass us and lord it over us as our superiors dominate us.

We have need of patience with our human mothers who tell us, “Don’t go out, children. Stay inside. The outer world is dangerous; it is a devouring tiger. We don’t want our children to be devoured by the world’s cruelty, temptation and destruction. We want our children to stay at home cheerfully and peacefully for our constant affection, love and blessing.” We have need of patience with our fathers. Our fathers tell us, “Children, it is high time for you to go out of the house and walk around to see the world at large. It is time for you to receive from the outer world what it has to offer and to offer to the world what you have. The outer world needs your aspiration to fulfil itself, and you need the outer world’s dedication to fulfil yourself. So don’t stay inside any more. You are no longer a tiny plant but a strong tree. Go out and offer yourself to those who are in need of your guidance and protection.”

We have need of patience with Heaven. Although Heaven will eventually grant us its infinite Peace, Light, Bliss and Power, it unfortunately delays at times in spite of our having the necessary receptivity. The only reason we can find is that we are beggars; therefore, we accept our deplorable fate. Alas, Heaven tells us that a beggar cannot be a chooser. Heaven will give according to its willingness. A beggar cannot demand. But we know well that there will come a time when we shall not remain beggars. We know well that when our full awakening takes place we will see that we are none other than God’s chosen instruments to fulfil Him here on earth. As spiritual seekers, our aspiration grows and glows; we realise that God wants only to please Himself and fulfil Himself through us. We will feel that the best thing is to please God according to our awareness. Sooner or later we come to realise that it is not we who fulfil but God who fulfils, satisfies and manifests in and through us.

We have need of patience with earth. Earth is constantly crying. It wants us to elevate its height to Heaven. We try to help earth in its upward movement since earth has legitimate reasons to ask us for a favour. Earth has blessed us with concern, oneness and sacrifice; naturally earth can make a request. But in spite of our best efforts we fail to elevate earth-consciousness even an inch from where it is now. But even this sad experience cannot last for good. One day our incapacity and inconscience will see that we are simply trying to please God. There will come a time when all our inner failures will be transformed into success. On that day our name will be Gratitude.

We have need of patience with God. At God’s choice Hour God will greet us and give us illumination-salvation, illumination-liberation. We try to expedite that choice Hour of God’s, but God says, “Children, My decision has been made and will not change. I am not going to change the Hour.” We cry and God tells us, “True, in your lamentation is sincerity. Cry more soulfully. Let Me see what I can do for you.” But we feel the necessity of crying not only soulfully but also unconditionally. We wanted God to expedite His Hour, but we are now ready to wait for God’s Hour. God says, “You have made considerable inner progress. I see you are ready. I have changed your Hour.” When we are ready to wait for God’s choice Hour unconditionally, God offers us His soulful Smile; sooner than at once God greets us with what He has and is. What He has is infinite Concern and Love for us and what He is is immortal Consciousness.

Published in AUM – Vol. 2, No.11, 27 November 1975