Patience and Self-Acceptance

We understand the importance of breathing lessons and recognize that we can breathe anywhere because the breath of God is everywhere. Returning to mindfulness repeatedly requires gentle persistence, not pushing or struggling. Like waves eroding rock, we must return to mindfulness naturally. We all have moments of forgetfulness. When this happens, we should smile and acknowledge our habit energy without frustration. Mindfulness is about being present with whatever is happening, including our forgetfulness. If we become self-critical or frustrated, we need to relax, use humor, and smile. By making patience and self-acceptance our main practice, we will gradually become more mindful, not through striving for perfection but through simple daily actions, one mindful breath at a time.

May we embrace gentle persistence,
returning to mindfulness with patience and self-acceptance,
trusting in the ever-present breath of God.

(inspired by Thomas Bien and Beverly Bien, Mindful Recovery)