Cultivating Patience and Tolerance in Challenging Situations by Bhante Dr. G. Chandima @Nalanda Buddhist Society (November 10, 2024)

 

Tolerance and patience are closely related but distinct qualities:

1. Tolerance is the ability to accept and coexist with differences, difficulties, or discomforts, often involving the willingness to let go of judgments and opinions about things we might not agree with. It's typically about accepting something (e.g., beliefs, situations, or people) that may challenge or oppose our own preferences or beliefs without reacting negatively.

2. Patience is the ability to endure or wait through challenging situations, delays, or frustration without losing composure. It involves calm perseverance and restraint, often in situations where we cannot control the outcome or timing.

In short, tolerance is about accepting external differences or discomforts without resistance, while patience is about maintaining composure through challenging situations or waiting periods. They both involve managing our reactions, but patience often requires inner calm through prolonged difficulty, while tolerance is more about accepting or respecting differences.

 How to Practice Tolerance?

Practicing tolerance is about developing acceptance toward differences, discomfort, or situations that you might naturally resist. Here are some strategies to help cultivate it:

1. Acknowledge Your Reactions
2.  Challenge Assumptions
3.  Empathy Practice
4. Mindfulness and Non-Reactivity
5. Educate Yourself
6. Develop Curiosity Instead of Judgment
7. Practice Acceptance
8. Start Small

How to Practice Patience?

Practicing patience is like building a skill through daily, intentional efforts. Here are some practical steps that can help:

1. Identify Triggers
2. Practice Mindful Breathing
3. Break the Situation Down
4. Shift Your Perspective
5. Reflect on Past Experiences
6. Cultivate Gratitude
7. Practice Self-Compassion
8. Delay Gratification
9. Use a Timer for Deliberate Waiting
10. Meditate