Let Go of Expectations When Starting to Meditate

Whenever we enter into something new, I find there is always a mixture of excitement and maybe a little fear.

The openness and excitement that comes with new possibilities.

And the fear that it won’t meet expectations.

Starting a meditation practice can be daunting. You have the hope that it will bring greater stability of mind, happiness and all those great benefits every article seems to talk about.

Then your knees start to hurt.

Your mind starts to wander.

And why can’t I stop thinking about that email from last week I never responded to?!

Stop.

Take a breath.

Take a moment and remember what meditation really is.

Meditation is the opportunity to see your own mind and work with what’s there. It helps to create more awareness and get some internal space from our own thoughts and ideas – then let go of what's not useful.

Unfortunately, we go into every situation with expectations, and I don’t think there has ever been a moment in history when our fantasy and reality matched.

So, as you begin this new challenge … let go.

Leave the expectations at the door.

Open yourself to discover your most authentic self.

It won’t always be pretty or nice, but at least you have plenty of material to work with.

Then inch-by-inch, day-by-day, as the light of awareness shines brighter and brighter, you become the you that you want to share with the world.

See also: How to Make Meditation a Habit