The Practice of Knowing You’re Enough As You Are

July 7, 2025   |   7 Comments

Audio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 21:26

Hello wonderful Open Heart Project,

It’s an impossibly difficult time right now, and I send you my love.

Last week, I talked about discipline, the second paramita (transcendent action), as a true source of joy. Before that I shared some thoughts about the first paramita, generosity.

This week, we move on to the third paramita, patience. In this view, know that patience is not about endless forbearance or putting up with craziness. Transcendent patience has the power to move mountains. You’ll notice this is an older video, but I’m sharing it because it says what I want to say about patience and it shows how whatever we wish we weren’t feeling isn’t forever.

Let me know what you think. I always love hearing from you.

With love,
Susan

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7 Comments

  • Posted by:  Joyce Brooks

    Thank you so much! Loved meditating with you and learning from your talk.

    Namaste

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      so glad to practce together! xo s

  • Posted by:  Sue Ellen May

    This was one of my favorite talks ever, and I’m grateful that you repeated it. I recently read the book “Let Them” by Mel Robbins. The second step of that action is letting go. What this has to do with patience seems involved with allowing – making a thoughtful decision not to return aggression with aggression, allowing another to act/say what they will. What I picture is staying put, but flexible, recognizing the aggression as a manifestation of the other’s fears (often through habit), and watching it dissipate.

    An example: when plans go awry, and something difficult happens, my husband gets upset and starts throwing sharp shards of blame at me. My response in the past (and sometimes present) is to throw them right back. The outcome is predictably nasty and causes uncomfortable distance between us. If I acknowledge his aggression, allow him to feel his anger, but stay steady while expressing compassion for his upset state, it fades much more quickly. I could allow the daggers to draw blood, but if I let them fall to the ground they don’t hurt either of us. It’s hard. Really hard. To feel attacked and respond with recognition of where the attack comes from without defending is sometimes an almost superhuman effort.

    As I write this, the wonderful Jason Isbell song, “If we were vampires,” plays in the background – a poignant reminder of impermanence. One of us will someday be gone. To spend energy in compassionate patience rather than hopping around in impatience seems to recognize our one precious human life.

    • Posted by:  Judy

      Can so relate with my current situation with my brother re: our care of aging mother. To turn to compassion for his suffering as he is blaming me for the situation is difficult. I find it helpful to reflect that I do not want to do anything that will result in me making an amends, esp. unskilful speech. Reflecting on the law of kamma helps and what is my deepest intention- do no harm.

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      So glad we can practice all of this together, Sue Ellen. And the blame game: so hard!! Just as you say. Thanks for working with it within yourself and for the benefit of others. Love always, Susan

  • Posted by:  Kevin J Waters

    Susan Im so glad that you’re talking about the six paramita’s. The first Two Opened The Door to understending Patience. It took me a while to see the Many Sides that Patience Beyoun the one we are most Aware of ! I’ve learned that I can Put Somethings Aside and come back to Them. Also learned Patience is not putting Any Weight on a Situation in volving patience . looking at weather i’ve put any expations on the out of a patience. i now look at a situation that may contain Violence, and become more aware the human emotions that are, maybe involved in me or in those where patience is Needed !! For Many Years as You Have Expressed I Sat With My Idea Of Patience, Putting my Foot Down, Irregardless Of The Final Out Come ! After Listened to your first talk on the Paramitas. I sat with Patience once again and worked at how i did in situations demanding what i though were patience, and realized my “Patience” need A Close Look ! After a While . & Work I Began to Hear Keven How Can You Be So Patience. The More I Sat With Myself, and My Patience, and Occasional Failures, I began To Understand Patience ! And Looked At How Discipline, and Generosity Affected Patience, My Patience! Thank-You !!

    • Posted by:  Susan Piver

      Thank you, Kevin! Always great to hear from you. With love, Susan

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