I quote, therefore I think: Patience? Patience.

And I think:

A good deal of ancient wisdom feels at odds with current values and norms. What are we to do? Espouse “old” principles to battle modern demands? Or discard altogether wisdom that has stood the test of time, wisdom we still seek to guide or save us when life brings us to our knees?

Only you can decide what works for you.

My own experience has been that life keeps prodding me to wake up every so often. It keeps whispering in my ear that I must—I must—keep tearing the veil of false identities, ego-soothing lies and conditioned reactivity.

The more I move forward, the more inward I go. The more inward I go, the more I’m asked to surrender. The more I surrender, the more aligned I feel with ancient wisdom.

And the more patient I have to be.

I once read that under the surface of impatience lies anger. It’s the subtle or not-so-subtle energy of not wanting things to be as they are, and blaming yourself or someone else for it.

But nothing is separate or isolated. Things happen because other things happen, and unfold according to their nature.

The inner peace of knowing, of deep understanding, comes when we cultivate—not demand or impose—patience. Patience in action, patience in non-action.

Waiting for the mud to settle might feel like crawling through eons, but the clarity you seek appears only when you give in to the wait, and let go.