Steve and I spent Saturday morning at a meditation workshop run by one of my yoga teachers. We discussed meditation from scientific, historical and yogic perspectives and practised a variety of meditation techniques. Among many interesting things that we talked about, there was one idea that particularly resonated with me and that I wanted to share here.
It is the notion of patience as the opposite of doubt, and impatience as the opposite of faith; an alignment that I found very powerful.
I have a basically optimistic outlook on life, best characterised by a general belief that things tend to work out all right in the end. But I had never before made the connection between having a vague hope that things will work out, and having the patience to remain constant within myself in the meantime.
Patience is something we knitters understand. It takes patience, and faith, to devote tens or hundreds of hours to creating an item that we cannot see, touch or try on before we have made it. We have faith, or we hope, that it will turn out all right in the end (even if ‘in the end’ turns out to mean multiple attempts later!)
The flowers in the photo are the first of many that I need to crochet for the vintage tea cosy that I am making. They are fiddly and are taking me far longer than they should for something so small. Working on them is in itself a little excercise in patience.
Interesting idea! Whilst you were there I don’t suppose any meditation books were recomended where they?
So pretty too, how many do you have to make? Can’t wait to see the cozy finished
I like the idea of patience being the opposite of doubt, rather than hope.
I like it because you cannot force yourself to be hopeful – either you are or you’re not – I think there’s a value judgment in there. But you can learn to be patient, and see things as a process that you will eventually get through, and you will eventually see how things turn out. And this going through the process can be done without value judgments.
Thanks for sharing
The flowers are lovely! Very delicte and pretty.
I love the sentiments on patience.
I love this connection. Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderfully powerful sentiment. I look forward to seeing your patiently knit tea cosy xx
Lovely, thoughtful post. And beautiful indoor garden.
The flowers are gorgeous and look so ethereal, wispy. They sound like they are indeed a test of patience with no doubt that they are worth it!
beautiful post
such a succinctly expressed notion, and so very apt to this crafty life…
those flowers will embody the very essence of patience, and will no doubt serve as the reward to your faith upon the finished item
This is a really interesting idea. Patience is not something I have in abundance, at least I didn’t think so until reading this. Maybe, as Jasmine says, you can learn to be patient. Maybe through knitting I have learnt some measure of patience. At least more than I had pre-knitting..
I will never be patient enough to crochet those flowers though.
What a lovely post. I am with you on the belief scale that things usually turn out in the end. It is a connection that I had never thought of either. Good luck with your tea cozy.
Anna, Thank you for sharing this. I’ve been thinking a lot on patience lately – as I seem to have stumbled into a rather magnanimous spell. It seems to me now that I’ve spent a lot of time in my life beating myself up about not meeting goals in the timeframe/manner they were originally intended. But lately, I’m enjoying the whole process (knitting, food, whatever) a whole lot more, with all the ups and downs and adjustments along the way, and I think that has everything to do with patience – and yes, the faith that it will work out. Funny, I always thought of myself as an optimist too, but when it came to my own self, I didn’t really have that same optimism or generosity it seems. So I love the idea of impatience as the opposite of faith – it explains a lot of that behavior in me I think. Wow, I’m writing a book here, sorry – it resonated with me too, obviously!
I needed this today. Thank you!
Knitting has taught me the benefits of patience (which was something I am not known for). The idea that patience is a form of faith is very interesting to me and I’ve thought about it since reading your post yesterday. This is a concept I am applying to my efforts to lose weight also and it is very helpful.
Those flowers look so pretty in the Kidsilk Haze.
I have absolutely no patience when it comes to knitting. I get bored easily. However, I have patience in other things… and I think that if we were patient in all aspects of our lives, it would/could turn into apathy.
Pretty, pretty flowers. And I love the part about patience. It’s something that I’ve had to learn through my life. And the knitting does give me patience at least in one aspect.
Hello Anna,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts- it made me smile. Amazing isn’t? I find it is a bit of a lost quality in this time and age.. patience. But I agree that as Artisans we need plenty of it, and actually think that doing any craft will teach you patience and its rewards…
The flowers looks lovely fluffy and colourful- cant wait to see the finished cozy
Have a great weekend
xo
I am a first time reader. I want to thank you for this mornings
lovely post. As all things come in the perfect time, this was a wonderful reminder/gift badly needed for my upcomming week. Thank you.
Love the sentiment, and agree that it definitely relates to knitting and crochet. In our knitting, we have long term goals, short term, etc.
And cannot wait to see the tea cozy!
Very interesting post – this is something I really need to work on, and you’ve given me something to think about. Beautiful flowers – I think the cozy is going to be gorgeous!