It takes time.
I first took notice of these three words together when they were spoken by my kundalini yoga teacher, during a long hold posture. My arms moved dynamically into the silence on either side of the phrase. Later that day the words stretched themselves through my mind and have since stayed with me. I recall them; as reassurance in not having to rush any particular outcome in my practices and areas of study (while of course putting in the time), in relationships, and over truly understanding things in relation to lived experience.
In a podcast conversation earlier this week, I asked a musician what advice he had for aspiring musicians. The first piece of advice he offered was,
It takes time.
Said precisely like that.
This eye of the needle phrase is one we can use each time we meet with the parts of us that want or wish:
to become better at something.
to learn in order to understand.
to know ourselves from the inside.
to figure which kinds of movement the body likes best.
to develop relationships.
to hone a craft, trade or skillset.
We can imagine each of these sentences as silver threads, as we ease them through the eye of the needle phrase;
it takes time.
Then one day, those threads begin to golden. The gilding is a delicate process - a gentle shine, from deep inside. Gilding likes a still space, a gentle approach, and patience.
Thank you for this reminder. My heart needed it.
Beautiful ❤️