Contact Us Today! (215) 885-9700
Welcome to the Sage Healing Institute!
  • Home
  • New MBI® Classes: Anxiety and Compassion-based Mindful Meditation
  • New Sage Core Training Classes
  • About Sage
    • Contact Us! >
      • Get the E-Newsletter
      • Directions / Locations
  • New Continuing Education
    • Bibliography for MBI for Psychotherapists
  • MBI®
    • What is MBI®?
    • Meditation Instruction
    • MBI® Groups
    • MBI® Mindful Eating
    • MBI® Testimonials
    • MBI® Research
    • Registration
  • Sage Core Training
    • Information
    • Professional Training
    • Who Should Attend?
    • Continuing Education Credit
    • Sage Core Testimonials
  • Faculty
  • Calendar
    • MBI® MeetUp!
    • Sage Healers MeetUp!
  • Blog
    • Subscribe!
  • Coming Soon

Expect the Unexpected

6/10/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture



















6/9/13 

Expect the Unexpected

As we move from moment to moment, through the waking part of our daily lives, we make predictions about what will come next. 


We begin the day by guiding ourselves through the morning routine; counting on hot water for the shower, and food in the refrigerator for breakfast. Our expectations are, that everything that was present, accessible, or functioning last night when we went to sleep, will be just the same, when we awaken . 

This reality forecasting is an ongoing, unconscious process; usually absent from awareness until something goes wrong.

In our complex reality, where each day holds numerous demands; we rely on things going smoothly to meet our obligations, and goals. When the car doesn’t start, the computer has a virus, or someone has eaten the last of the strawberries counted on for breakfast, we feel unsettled.

When this happens, we can cause ourselves great suffering.

Blaming, criticism and anger often appear. “What inconsiderate person ate those strawberries?” “Why didn’t I install the anti-virus program sooner?” “I know the mechanic at the car dealership just ripped me off....”

 We may also feel an increase in anxiety and begin to predict terrible outcomes: “There isn’t anything else for me to eat, I’ll have to go hungry.” “My boss will be furious that I am late, and probably fire me.” “Its going to cost a fortune to fix that car...”

“Expect the unexpected” is a mindfulness slogan from the Tibetan tradition. It is an invitation to cultivate a fluid attitude toward reality, which is reflective of its true nature. Every person, being, atom, and event are changing in every moment. It comforts us to feel that the world is solid and predictable, but doing so can result in anxiety and stress.


When we encounter something unusual or unpredicted, the mindful position is one without judgement. The child’s mind says: “How interesting! Not at all what I expected. Hmmn, what is the offering of this moment?
 An empty silence where the sound of the car ignition was expected. I am mindful of the feeling of surprise and the desire to begin my journey.
 I embrace the opportunity to find out what is wrong with my car...”

Or; I can’t find the onions in the supermarket. I notice these onion-like things. I take in the visual beauty of their unusual leaves, letting go of disappointment and frustration. “I wonder how these taste?”


This position of openness, which allows us to refrain from anxiety, criticism and anger, offers us great benefit.


Breathing in I am aware of my breath.
Breathing out I am open to this moment.

Breathing in I open to reality unfolding.
Breathing out I drop expectation.

Breathing in I open to the unexpected
Breathing out I invite whatever is offered

Breathing in I relax.

Breathing out I move mindfully to respond.



May this information benefit you, those you love, and all sentient beings, everywhere.

-Ellen Adelman
© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013, 
all rights reserved.
Mind Body Intelligence tm is a trademark of 

 Ellen M. Adelman PhD and the Sage Healing Institute. 


For more information visit www.sagehealinginstitute.com.© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013, all rights reserved.





0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Enter your email address below to send new
    Sage Blog Posts right to your inbox:

    RSS Feed

    Welcome

    Greetings and Welcome to the Sage Healing Institute Web Log. We will share interesting articles, mindfulness practices and perspectives to inform and inspire your daily practice!

    Archives

    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    Categories/Tags

    All
    Attachment And Mindfulness
    Mindful Eating
    Mindful Meditaiton
    Psychology And Mindfulness
    Reduce Suffering
    Working With Sadness

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.