Hope is a subtle, sometimes unconscious attitude of the heart
and mind that is essential in this human life. Experts differ
on whether hope is an emotion, a belief, a conscious choice,
or all three. I think of hope as an innate quality of being, as
open, active trust in life that refuses to quit.
and mind that is essential in this human life. Experts differ
on whether hope is an emotion, a belief, a conscious choice,
or all three. I think of hope as an innate quality of being, as
open, active trust in life that refuses to quit.
When hope is misunderstood, it can plunge us into delusion
and become a hindrance to facing the facts of life. To discern
the real value of hope, we must draw a line between hope and
expectation. Hope is an optimizing force and moves us and all
of life toward harmony. It is an abiding state of being, a hidden
wellspring within us. This version of hope is a basic human
need.
and become a hindrance to facing the facts of life. To discern
the real value of hope, we must draw a line between hope and
expectation. Hope is an optimizing force and moves us and all
of life toward harmony. It is an abiding state of being, a hidden
wellspring within us. This version of hope is a basic human
need.
Yet our usual kind of hope is little more than wishful thinking.
It's frequently tied to an an almost childlike belief, sometimes
even blind faith, that an external agency or authority will bring
about what we desire. Driven by our preference for a different
set of conditions, this conventional view of hope is a rejection
of what is present for us in the here and now.
It's frequently tied to an an almost childlike belief, sometimes
even blind faith, that an external agency or authority will bring
about what we desire. Driven by our preference for a different
set of conditions, this conventional view of hope is a rejection
of what is present for us in the here and now.
Ordinary hope disguised as expectation is fixated on specific
outcomes. This hope gets conflated with the desire for a
certain future result. Attaching our happiness to a specific
future result causes us all sorts of suffering..... attachment to
outcome posing as hope interferes with our ability to be present
to our experience of life as it is unfolding.
outcomes. This hope gets conflated with the desire for a
certain future result. Attaching our happiness to a specific
future result causes us all sorts of suffering..... attachment to
outcome posing as hope interferes with our ability to be present
to our experience of life as it is unfolding.
Mature hope takes us inside ourselves and toward finding the
good in the experience. Mature hope requires both a clear
intention and a simultaneous letting go. This hope is not
dependent on outcome. The hope is in the potential for our
awakened [or skillful] response, not in things turning out
a particular way - and we are no longer trapped by our
conventional view of hope. We leave room for surprise.
The energizing quality of mature hope helps us to remain
open to the possibility that while life may not turn out the
way we first thought, opportunities we never imagined may
also arise.
good in the experience. Mature hope requires both a clear
intention and a simultaneous letting go. This hope is not
dependent on outcome. The hope is in the potential for our
awakened [or skillful] response, not in things turning out
a particular way - and we are no longer trapped by our
conventional view of hope. We leave room for surprise.
The energizing quality of mature hope helps us to remain
open to the possibility that while life may not turn out the
way we first thought, opportunities we never imagined may
also arise.
Frank Ostaseski
Buddhist Teacher
Buddhist Teacher
from: The Five Invitations
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