Let go of expectations from "summary" of A Beginner's Guide to Meditation by Rod Meade Sperry,Editors of the Shambhala Sun
When we sit down to meditate, it's natural for us to have some expectations about what will happen. We might expect to feel calm and peaceful, or we might expect our minds to be completely quiet. However, these expectations can actually get in the way of our practice. When we hold on to expectations, we create a kind of barrier between ourselves and the present moment. We're so focused on what we think should be happening that we can't fully experience what's actually happening. This can lead to frustration and disappointment, which are not conducive to a peaceful mind. In meditation, our goal is to simply be present with whatever is arising in our experience. This means letting go of any preconceived notions about how our practice should look or feel. When we release our expectations, we open ourselves up to the possibility of experiencing things in a new and unexpected way. By letting go of expectations, we allow ourselves to be more open and receptive to whatever comes our way. We can approach our practice with a sense of curiosity and wonder, rather than trying to force things to be a certain way. This can lead to a deeper sense of peace and connection with ourselves and the world around us. So the next time you sit down to meditate, try to let go of any expectations you have about how it should go. Instead, simply be present with whatever arises, and see where the practice takes you. You might be surprised by what you discover when you release your attachments to how things "should" be.
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