Great Expectations…

I sat down today for meditation… and it was awful.  My mind was everywhere. When the timer went off, I was more restless than when I started. 

When we put in effort, usually, we expect a certain result. 

I take the effort to practice meditation because it brings me into a more peaceful state (those are my expectations).  When I didn’t feel more peaceful after, I got agitated. 

Expectations make us unhappy. 

One of my favorite teachings works perfectly here: “You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action.”  – Bhagavad Gita 2.47 (The Bhagavad Gita was one of Gandhi’s favorite texts and inspirations.) 

We get to show up and do whatever we want to do, but whatever happens after that, we have to let go of.

The practice of mindfulness empowers us to live more in the present moment.  It’s an invitation to focus our attention on doing the best we can, right now, and that’s it. 

Feeling a bit more free,

Jen

Founder @ M I N D F R E S H