•  
A+ A A-

The Suffering We Cause Ourselves When We Expect Too Much From The World

The Suffering We Cause Ourselves When We Expect Too Much From The World

Before heading to the grocery store, we make a list of the things we need.

Before attending a class or a workshop, we anticipate what we will learn. Before dating someone, we hope they’ll fit the image we have of them in our minds. That’s how we subconsciously operate in life.

Before we do almost anything, we are likely to expect a certain outcome. As human beings with an active mind and infinite wisdom, we naturally want predictability.

We often also want predictability in our meditation practice. We expect to feel good, to not have any thoughts, to relax, or to have particular realizations.

It’s only natural to expect good outcomes from any kind of spiritual practice. However, the certainty we long for in meditation only limits the depth of experience we’re about to have.

You see, one of the biggest problems in the world today is the attachment to the outcome of our expectations. When things don’t go the way we expect, we mentally and emotionally suffer.

Meditation is supposed to make us feel good. But when we think it hasn’t, we suffer abundantly. We might drop the practice altogether or think that meditation is just not for us.

But it really all boils down to one thing. Before starting your meditation practice, make sure you ask yourself whether you have any expectations or not. Predicting how our mindfulness practice will go is a certain step toward failure. The fact is, our meditation practice might not always go as we imagine. In order not to give ourselves a hard time about it or set ourselves up for disappointment, we must practice “non-expectation” before meditating.

Non-expectation simply implies believing that there’s no such thing as a “bad meditation.”

My meditation practice has become significantly different since I stopped making things complicated. When I sit for meditation, I let it be. I let myself experience every good outcome and, simultaneously, every unfavorable one.

Meditation, at the end of the day, is learning to go with the flow. It’s not about stopping thoughts from flowing or feeling deep relaxation. Meditation is about accepting every experience that reveals itself to us from moment to moment without judging it, overanalyzing it, pushing it away, or desiring it to persist.

The best way to begin our meditation practice is to simply stay open to all kinds of sensations, experiences, and revelations. This is what truly matters. The image we have in our minds about our mindfulness experience comes from the ego that seeks perfection and success. But the reality of our experiences is imperfect and almost never flawless.

The path toward true meditation is effortless. It is what it is. When you sit, sit for now. Don’t sit in meditation in order to get to a certain destination. “Now” is the only destination.

Before you start your meditation practice, say out loud:

“I have no expectation whatsoever from this practice.
I might feel at ease and I might feel pain. Either way, it’s okay.
I might work skillfully with my thoughts and I might let my mind wander away. Either way, it’s okay.
I might stay attentive the entire time and I might doze off. Either way, it’s okay.
I might meditate for one hour and I might meditate for 10 minutes. Either way, it’s okay.
I might stay aware of my emotions and I might let them control me. Either way, it’s okay.”

When we don’t set the bar too high, we will return to meditation again and again. Since there will be no disappointment, we will always be keen to continue our mindfulness practice.

elephantjournal
Author: Elyane Youssef
Source

Pin It

Liked this article? Dive deeper into personal growth and wellness! Check out CrystalWind.ca for spiritual wisdom or explore AromaWorx.ca for natural well-being tips. Spread the positivity—share this with friends on their happiness journey!

Let’s Chat! Drop Your Thoughts Below! Scroll down to comment

Keep CrystalWind.ca free—your gift matters now!
Help us spread light today. Thank you, supporters!

Follow this blog

Featured Writers

Thank You for Visiting CrystalWind!

We’re honored to be part of your journey.

Share your thoughts at .

Let’s grow together!

Imagine a world of inspiration and healing, free for all—made possible by YOU!
Donate Now—Ignite the Magic at CrystalWind.ca!

Support CrystalWind.ca Today!

Unlock Your Light: Join Lightworkers Worldwide on CrystalWind.ca!

Call For Writers

Call For Writers!

Follow Us!

Featured This Month

Page:

Cinnabar

Cinnabar

The Merchant's Stone Cinnabar is said to attract abundance, gently increasi... Read more

Sun in Leo

Sun in Leo

An Overview of Sun Sign Characteristics for Leo Read more

Larimar

Larimar

The Atlantis Stone - The Dolphin Stone Found exclusively in the Dominica... Read more

Birth Totem - Salmon

Birth Totem - Salmon

Birth Totem Salmon Read more

Lammas by The Hedgewitch

Lammas by The Hedgewitch

Although in the heat of a Mid-western summer it might be difficult to discer... Read more

Red Raspberry

Red Raspberry

Reminds you to be grateful for all of life’s ups and downs. Read more

Leo

Leo

LEO July 23 - August 22 Read more

Ripe Berries Moon

Ripe Berries Moon

Sturgeon - Garnet and Iron - Raspberry - Red July 23 to August 22 Th... Read more

Lughnasadh Meditation

Lughnasadh Meditation

The Seventh Sabbat of the Wheel is Lughnasadh. Lughnasadh is celebrated on A... Read more

The Season of Lammas

The Season of Lammas

The season of Lammas (also called Lughnasadh) begins on August 1st and conti... Read more

Lammas

Lammas

Lammas Ritual Celebrated August 1st. Lammas is also known as Lughnasadh, La... Read more

Lugh - Celtic God Of The Sun

Lugh - Celtic God Of The Sun

The god Lugh was worshiped in Ireland as a deity of the sun. This connection... Read more

The Hazel Tree: August 5 - September 1

The Hazel Tree: August 5 - September 1

Celtic Symbol : The Rainbow Salmon Read more

Lughnasadh (Lammas) - The Celtic Harvest Fes…

Lughnasadh (Lammas) - The Celtic Harvest Festival

The Celtic harvest festival on August 1st takes its name from the Irish god ... Read more

X

Right Click

No right click