EP 320: The True Benefits of Non-Judging Awareness

As human beings, we have a strong tendency to judge and form expectations for our experiences. We all do it! We EXPECT to get to work without traffic. We EXPECT to not have a flat tire. We EXPECT that our pen won’t run out of ink. And when we live with these expectations, we set ourselves up for the acts of clinging and aversion. We cling to the idea that our pen SHOULD work. And we don’t accept that our tire is flat when we’re leaving for work in the morning. And in this clinging and aversion, uncomfortable and disturbing emotions arise. And we suffer. But we still have to get up and grab a new pen and we still have to fix our flat tire. Well, the practice of mindfulness - living in each present moment without the expectations arising from prejudgment - teaches us to ACCEPT the unwanted inconveniences in our lives and avoid - or at least reduce - whatever suffering they may cause. We still have to get a new pen, but when we do, we do so feeling good. I know this might sound strange to you. It did to me at first, too. But with a little bit of practice, these skills are very attainable! Questions? Let me know.