By: BK Atam Prakash
Source: The Daily Guardian 
Dated: June 14th, 2025

Studies show there is a growing global trend of increasing impatience. Even if there were no study to make this point, nearly all of us would have noted this trend in our daily lives: in the behaviour of young people, in social media interactions, and in public discourse.

Advancements in technology have fostered a culture where immediate access to information, entertainment, and services is the norm. This has led to diminished tolerance for delays, as people become accustomed to receiving instant responses and gratification, with minimal effort. 

Technology, more specifically the constant bombardment of notifications and the need for rapid responses, has actually rewired our brains, reducing our ability to focus, and increasing impatience. Studies indicate that the fast-paced nature of modern life has thrown our internal timers out of balance, making us more prone to frustration when things do not happen quickly.

Economic factors have also played a role. Financial instability, inflation, and rising inequality have contributed to a mindset where a lot of people prefer immediate rewards over long-term gains. Research has shown that people in countries with high economic inequality and inflation are more likely to exhibit impatience, opting for smaller, quicker rewards rather than larger, delayed ones.

Patience may be undervalued and have few takers in today’s world, but it is a virtue that has been praised through the ages across spiritual traditions. It is one of the most exalted qualities in the Quran, which says: “Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” Buddhist teachings extol patience as the highest asceticism, and it is considered more effective than meditation in dealing with anger.

Patience fosters a sense of calm, aligning us with awareness of the present moment and reducing restlessness. In many faith traditions, patience is seen as a sign of trust in a higher power or in the unfolding of the universe’s timing. Challenges that require patience often become catalysts for deep inner transformation, helping individuals develop virtues such as compassion, humility, and endurance.

Nature teaches us patience. Natural phenomena occur in cycles, at their own time – we can neither speed them up nor stop them. That is why farmers, pastoralists, fishermen, and others whose livelihoods are tied to the rhythms of nature, work in alignment with them rather than resist them.

Patience brings psychological benefits too. It improves our ability to tolerate frustration and stay calm in stressful situations. While impatience can lead to anxiety and reactive behaviour, patience creates a psychological buffer against stress by encouraging perspective and control. Therefore, people who are patient are more likely to persevere through challenges without becoming overwhelmed.

One of the more tangible rewards of patience is better relationships. The virtue helps us understand others' perspectives, forgive mistakes, and manage conflict calmly — leading to stronger interpersonal bonds. Patient individuals listen more deeply and respond thoughtfully, making conversations more meaningful and less reactive. Such people are also seen as steady and dependable, which inspires trust and respect in families, teams, and communities.

While one may not associate patience with high achievers, it does play a role in the success of our efforts. Patience improves our decision-making by allowing for thoughtful evaluation rather than impulsive choices, leading to better long-term outcomes. Studies have shown that delayed gratification — a key component of patience — is linked to greater success in education, one’s career, and personal goals. An important part of the last is our financial goals. Patience encourages saving, investing, and wise spending, all of which are important in ensuring our long-term financial health.

A good way to acquire patience is to adopt the “wait and see” approach, wherever it is appropriate. When we watch whatever is happening around us as detached observers, we are not disturbed by what we see. Patience brings maturity and wisdom, as it helps us learn that there is a right time for everything, and that there are valid reasons for why things happen the way they do. This helps us accept people and circumstances as they are, and be at peace. Patience is also connected with faith. When there is faith that whatever happens in life is ultimately beneficial, if I am willing to learn, then we remain stable in all situations.

 
BK Atam Prakash is a Rajyoga teacher
at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.