Discourse on Expectations

“Wanna Be Happy. Have Zero Expectations.”

Seeker: Is this really possible ?

Maladkar: Good question, but sounds difficult isn’t it ? Many a times we invest time, money and energy for someone and then when we do so, do we leave it just at that ? Or do we now start expecting something in return ? It can be as much as been shown gratitude, or it can be something more. But expect we do. It is natural and may not be entirely wrong as a human. But then it means we are still bound by the human form and have not achieved the divine form. Does Divinity expect anything in return? Does the sun, the moon, the wind, the air, the earth, the tree, the beautiful rose and the great masters expect anything in return?  All of them give, as does Divinity. In giving actually one is receiving. When you expect something you have sown the first seed of unhappiness which will soon blossom into a huge tree of unhappiness, as your expectations don’t get met. Many a times, a parent may see his/her child as an investment. Crazy isn’t it ? First of all the child did not ask to be born, then once you give birth to the child, you feed the child, and then invest your all in the child, and then as a businessman start expecting return on investment, If not more, then at least expect the child to be a stick for your old age !! God save, if that child flies away in his quest of living and fails in his duty (to be a stick) then the parent had it coming in forms of unhappiness. So best it is not to have any expectations, only then one can truly be happy. Be like the Lord ‘Rama’ where ‘Ra’ means Light and ‘Ma’ means ‘within me’. So seek happiness, love, Light within yourself instead of seeking and begging from others. You are bound to be disappointed by the scheme of things, for true happiness depends on zero expectations. There is a story that guides us on this. On a coast-bound train, Mieczyslaw was slumped on his seat, and every few moments he sighed and cried, “Ah my! Ah my!”  Forbes sitting nearby, heard him cry and did not butt in, thinking the fellow was troubled by some great personal tragedy. The next day it was the same cry of, “Ah my! Ah my!” And again the same, the day after. Finally, Forbes leaned over and whispered, “Anything seriously wrong?” “Ah my, yes!” said the Polack. “For three days now I have been on the wrong train!” Thus, we are travelling in the wrong train and we only complain, hence we get so disappointed. We never take actions by proactively changing our track of thoughts. So let’s travel in the right train of thoughts and we will be happy. Actually one has to learn to be happy without any reason. And that can happen only if you have zero expectations, whatsoever from anyone. ‘Happy go lucky’ as they say is the way to be !