Monastic Persistence

It can be easy to lose track of the difference between being persistent and being stubborn.

There are people I know who believe they are persistent when they are being stubborn. I have known a few monks who were stubborn, but more who are persistent.

Stubbornness is about holding out against all opposition or obstacles. Being stubborn is having dogged determination, not listening to anyone else’s opinions or advice. Stubbornness seems to be rooted in knowing we are right, that other people must not see what we see. People talk about being stubborn in terms of being obstinate, intractable, and headstrong. Stubborn people simply will not listen, will not change.

Persistence is about holding onto what we believe despite all incentives to quit. Being persistent is being tenacious, resolute, and purposeful. When we are persistent we do not grow weary, our strength is renewed. People talk about persistence in term of continuous, unbroken, sustained commitment. Persistent people refuse to give up, refuse to give in, and pursue their ends unrelentingly.

Some people enter monastic life with stubbornness, refusing to be diverted from their goals. They may have decided to pursue a monastic calling in spite of challenges, fears, or reluctance. They may have needed to overcome obstacles within themselves and people who love them.

As they continue, monastic life works within them to transform stubbornness into persistence. They discover what they believe, what they value, what they are not willing to cast aside.

Part of the irony of monastic life is our stubbornness grows into persistence as we learn to listen. As we relax our tight grip, we begin to recognize what we believe.

Are we being stubborn today, or is our stubbornness being transformed into persistence?

How are we finding what inspires our persistence this week?

[Image by r.nial.bradshaw]