The Spiritual Life Lessons Of The Spider

I recently saw with my own eyes a burly, grown man run screaming from his garage because he saw a spider! I could not help but wonder what he thought might happen to him? Was the tiny spider going to pounce on him and consume him entirely?

Of course, in some places in the world there are indeed deadly little creatures that could cause irreparable harm, or even death. However, in the area where we live there is really not much chance of this ever happening. Instead of running away screaming, the arachnophobic lumberjack should have appreciated instead the spiritual wisdom and life lessons his petite visitor embodies.

When we look closely at the life of a spider, we must recognize and respect its truth. It operates in a world that is dictated only by nature and honest survival. It makes its living by adhering to the laws of nature.

The spider creates creates a home for itself where it can be safe and comfortable by applying formidable patience and diligence. It takes infinite care in this process with extreme precision.

The spider does not have a strict deadline as to when it’s home must be complete. The web is carefully spun after a perfect spot is chosen that will be most advantageous. This miraculous, fragile home must be able to withstand rain, sleet, snow, extreme winds and any other element that nature sees fit to throw it’s way.

Once this arduous and time-consuming task is completed, the next phase is just as critical. The spider will then take on the task that all creatures, man and beast, must comply with and that is securing a source of nourishment.

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect ~ Chief Seattle

Unlike many privileged humans in the modern world, who expect most things to simply be at their fingertips instantly, the spider must sit ever so patiently and quietly wait for its food to present itself. Sustenance will usually show up at some point or other, no matter how long it takes.

Once again, the spider does not recognize the urgency for food to be instantly available, neither does it feel the urge to collect a large stockpile of food that it may never need.

How does the simple life of such a persistent and patient creature teach us anything about our own life journey? Well, we tend to rush to complete projects and tasks in our lives, and too many of us do it carelessly and slovenly. We tend to lack the patience and diligence that will allow us to live in peace and harmony with all that surrounds us.

We have to cultivate contentment with what we have. We really don’t need much. When you know this, the mind settles down. Cultivate generosity. Delight in giving. Learn to live lightly. In this way, we can begin to transform what is negative into what is positive. This is how we start to grow up ~ Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

Humans also tend to be greedy and inconsiderate. Many of us consume and stockpile more than we really need and we do not give careful thought to sustainability of natural resources. And many also do not care how much damage and destruction we may be causing in the process. Spiders do not feel compelled to overload their grocery carts with offensive quantities of goods that frequently is never fully used.

Perhaps our lives could become a little less chaotic and burdensome if we just had the infinite patience and care of a spider and took more time to understand our place and role in the world. Spider also teaches us that all good things come to those who are willing to be patient and trust that Mother Nature will provide enough for all of us.