How to remove expectation when we meditate

[sparklekaz]

I believe that many people come to meditation with expectations. When their expectations are not met, often give up. How does someone go about removing those expectations and simply enter into a meditation practice with an open mind? I would like to hear the thoughts of those who have themselves dealt with this dilemma, and how they worked through it.

[jerboa]

Realizing those expectations and letting go of them, and knowing that some things exist inside of themselves that they them selves cannot discover without letting go of those expectations.

Some things are still self made within meditation when in stillness of mind, other things, mmm, I'm inclined to say there are depths to life which can only be experienced during total silence of mind. Small things can help, the sound of one hand clapping, the noise of a silent radio, or the sound of a nats wing beat, having the idea there in the first place, and learning what it means or how it feels helps the mind to have a goal and destination.

[aceofcups]

Hi Kaz,

Just my two-cents on your question.

I used to have a wonderful Theosophical bookmark which said: “Meditation is Not What You Think.”

To me -- part of meditation practice is practicing it. In meditation we align and integrate different levels of our consciousness and allow the Quiet Present Mind within to be with us.

One should not go into meditation with expectations, if they can. Expectations activate our emotions, self-desires, the mind and our Ego. Just allowing oneself to be truly Present and aligned and having that "goalless" goal to me is the Way. Easy,, no.. Worth the Effortless Effort...Yes!

There are many different meditation tools people use,,, such as watching or slowly counting one’s Breath, or focusing one’s mind on a candle flame, or using a Mantra etc etc.

Meditation is a spiritual exercise. And like a Physical exercise we can get more and more proficient in doing it by practicing it repeatedly. Self-discipline is part of many people’s meditation practice - doing it daily, at the same time and same place, if possible. If we practice meditation regularly a part of our inner being opens up to the experience within us. But even long time meditators will tell you - one day it seems to work, another less so. The main thing is to continue to do it regularly..and over time one will feel the changes it has brought to your life.

It is a type of spiritual paradox also- Meditation has many many rewards, but if one does it looking for rewards, it doesn’t totally work.


Peace,
aceofcups

[jesusrose]

So true Ace (I'm not the best meditator - I usually fall asleep lol!)

When we're hung up on wanting a certain outcome, we are sending out a strong message to the universe that we only want one specific thing - therefore blocking out any other incoming messages and visions.

Having said that, I need to stay awake to make this work

[aceofcups]

[cyberangel]

Meditation for me is like my relationship with god...a very personal one.

Each of my meditations is different from the last and each is a lesson in some form or another. I never expect anything but am always willing to except all I receive, be it the stillness between the breaths, the ability to observe my thoughts without interaction or to simply relax and enjoy the experience. I realised as an adult that I ‘naturally’ meditated throughout my childhood, allowing my imagination to free my mind and explore all there was to explore.

I would happily play for hours pausing for periods staring into space and blissfully not think of anything, it was like my mind was paused and I was aware, but yet, I seemed to become less aware of myself and more aware of EVERYTHING as if I was in and part of everything. As a kid with an “overactive” imagination I got used to keeping my adventures and discoveries to myself. Like my conversations with God and the Angels I just got used to keeping them to myself, it was easier than trying to convince others that it was NOT just my ‘imagination’.

Anyway, getting back to the question...I feel anyone that expects something from meditation will be disappointed, it’s as simple as breathing, and just like breathing it’s something you must do yourself. Each must find their own way of finding that peace within, that level of quietness and stillness, it’s something that can take as long as it takes, but the trick is to not give up, continue to try, it is so worth the time and there really is no effort. If you can enjoy the experience of trying to meditate, and then the peace of meditation, then imagine the bliss beyond meditation!!!

Love and Light

[markings]

Wanting to meditate without expectations is in itself an expectation of a result or how to do it, isn't it?
There is no escape from expectations, explicit or implicit.
The solution is to realize that, accept it as inevitable and meditate anyway.