PATIENCE-WHAT IS THE VALUE?

     "There are six principles favorable to the execution of pure devotional service: (1) being enthusiastic, (2) endeavoring with confidence, (3) being patient, (4) acting according to regulative principles: hearing, chanting and remembering Kṛṣṇa, (5) abandoning the association of nondevotees, and (6) following in the footsteps of the previous ācāryas. These six principles undoubtedly assure the complete success of pure devotional service."

NECTAR OF INSTRUCTION VERSE 3 (LINK)

     In this verse AC Bhaktivedanta Swami discusses the importance of being enthusiastic, being confident and also being patient. Whatever anyone desires to do they must have enthusiasm to pursue the goal. How can anyone expect to reach their goal if they sit around and do nothing. Either hearing or chanting or worshiping or serving, there are nine processes of devotional service. 

     "1. hearing the name and glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
      2. chanting His glories
      3. remembering the Lord
      4. serving the Lord’s feet
      5. worshiping the Deity
      6. offering obeisances unto the Lord
      7. acting as the Lord’s servant
      8. making friends with the Lord
      9. surrendering oneself fully to the Lord"

(from the purport)

     Confidence must also be there as challenges present themselves. Without confidence we can be shaken from the path, bewildered or confused. Confident in the Mercy of the Lord. 
    But there also has to be patience and that is what I have been appreciating recently. 

     "One should not be impatient in Kṛṣṇa consciousness."  

(from the purport)

     Without patience I try to take matters into my own hands. Try to make things happen. I may be enthusiastic and also confident but without patience to wait for the Mercy of the Lord I try to take control of situations, persons, plans, etc. My intelligence become contaminated with false ego, "I know what needs to be done. I am sure this will work. Others are wrong, I am right. I look for allies for my plans, others are opponents, etc." 
     Devotional service is not accessible from the platform of false ego. Under the guidance of a realized spiritual master who is above false ego, "I and mine," a person in false ego can be directed if they are submissive and make progress. In that sense false ego is not a barrier to devotional service. 
     But when a contaminated person tries to go directly from false ego to devotional service there is sure be disturbance. None of their endeavors can bear the fruit of love and devotion since they have cut devotional service out of the picture at the onset by not waiting for the Mercy of the Lord. This is the trap of impatience. This is the meaning of discipline. To wait.
     Yes, controlling the senses by avoiding unnecessary indulgences is a type of discipline. Performing austerities like rising early and taking cold bath is a kind of discipline. Chanting a prescribed number of mantras on beads is discipline, avoiding sinful activities is discipline. But the essence of discipline is to wait for the Mercy of the Lord. 
     Let me not forget, the goal is Love of God. Not just Krishna consciousness, after all Kamsa was Krishna conscious and so was Putana. Their Krishna consciousness was not favorable to love and devotion. I want to approach Krishna with love and devotion. 
     Impatience is like running around at night with a flashlight trying to find the sun, but the sun will come up in it's own time in the morning. Impatience tends to find fault with others, somehow they are in the way of getting it done, whatever it is. Or they are inadequate in some way for the purpose. Too slow, or too talkative, or too demanding, too bossy.. or too whatever...yada, yada, yada...
     Hanuman displayed impatience when he was tossing mountain peaks into the sea to build the bridge for Lord Ramachandra and he arrogantly brushed aside the small creature who was kicking in little grains of sand to help. Lord Rama chastised Hanuman... no Hanuman his service is just as dear to me as yours... Why because of the love and devotion, not the size of the pebble or mountain peak. 
     Impatience means the mode of passion. Measuring results. But how is love measured? heart beats? sighs? sidelong glances? movements of the eyebrows? sleepless nights? peals of laughter?
     So what is the value of patience? How can I measure? I cannot because it is invaluable. I must have patience to be successful on the path of devotion. Patience is one of my helpers. I cannot brush this dear friend and helper to the side with impatience.